Recipient of the B2 Scan Photography Award.
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FEMALE MONOLOGUES: investigating gender fluidity with individuality through photography
FEMALE MONOLOGUES is a practiced-led photographic research project that focuses on challenging gender stereotypes, rendering the concept of gender fluidity, and using psychoanalysis to analyse the reason behind women’s ever-present self-censorship.
The aesthetic and subject matter is inspired by Robert Mapplethorpe’s exploration of human figures and his mastery of the use of cropping to magnify and highlight specific details; the respectful presentation and collaboration with minority groups by Diane Arbus; Michael James O’Brien’s drag queen series that perfectly reveals the contrast and co-existence of feminine and masculine with individuality; and, most notably, the dynamic of performing one’s gender power transition in a heterosexual relationship as shown by Pixy Liao and her partner.
This project is an abstraction of these influences through the female gaze. The photographs present my interpretation of the act of revealing one’s nakedness without sexualising the body and refuse to cater to any observer. It describes my tension in living as a woman who began her awareness of feminism today and yet still needs to deal with the powerless feeling when facing the deep-rooted gender roles and stereotypes present in our society. It respects and empowers participants to present their authentic self without concern for the judgment of others. The photographs address the notion that gender fluidity could also apply to gender-role fluidity and gender expression fluidity. The fluidity could open up the possibility for each person to express their individuality, disrupting the traditional gender expectations and the essentialism of performing one’s gender.
Acknowledgments
Firstly, I would like to thank my parents who have always been my most vital support, encouraging me to run without fear, and live out my life. I would also want to thank my partner Russell Jang who loves me unconditionally, he is the one who truly hears me and respect every decision I make.
In addition, I particularly could like to thank Dr. David Rosetzky, who is my supervisor throughout the Master’s program. Words couldn’t explain how much I learned from him and appreciated his kindness and being the best supervisor. I would also love to thank Dr. Alison Bennett, who greatly inspired me to dive into investigating gender study and feminist theory, and I truly appreciated that I could be one of Bennett’s students. I would like to thank Bronislaw De Wilmesau-Kozka. I learned so much about lighting from him and I always appreciate his generosity in sharing lighting techniques. Thanks to Dr. Pia Johnson, Dr. Martina Copley, Dr. Ken Hughes Parry, and Andrey Walking were generous in sharing their knowledge and giving me advice that can benefit me for a lifetime. Also, thanks to the technology team, Gabriel Nilsen, Faiza Rezai, Jessica Curry, and Robert Harding.
Last but not least, I would like to thank those who trust and collaborated with me on Female Monologues for these two years, this project wouldn’t be possible without their participation.
Collaborators list below: