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Female Masculinity: 'Putting On Lipstick'
Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: May 2021
Designer: Iona Hindmarsh Bisset
Dimensions:
121 × 117 × 118 mm (12.1 × 11.7 × 11.8 cm)
Medium: Jesmonite AC100, red pigment
Object number: J.2021.61.CC
DescriptionPink cube with cast of hand and face.
Description by designer:
This project is an examination of the female ideal and the negative effect caused by the rigid gender binary that is ingrained in our societal construct. This binary upholds notions of cis-heteronormativity and ‘Other’ those that do not its meet criteria. This predominately damages queer identities and my project is a personal reflection of the forced projection of performative femininity onto women and therefore the suppression of masculinity in an attempt to ‘fit in’. In representing the underrepresented female masculinity I focus on archetypal gender expression in today’s western society by exploring themes closely associated with femininity.
Gender is consolidated through what queer theorist Butler describes as a repetition of “rituals” or “bodily gestures, movements, and styles of various kinds” that publicly signify the illusion of an abiding gendered self. I wish to explore these “rituals” and focus on what I constitute as ‘gendered actions’, particularly actions which signify femininity or are in relation to ideas that society places on womanhood. The series represents a morning routine. The collection therefore it has all chronology to it, starting with the piece ‘Shaving Armpits’ and culminating in ‘Sitting Cross-legged’. The video, ‘Female Masculinity’ showcases seven pieces, including ‘Putting On Lipstick’.
The Jesmonite blocks with casting negatives of body parts contextualise their placement. The rigidity of the material provides a level of discomfort and forces the wearer into that position without deviation from the ‘gendered action’. Each piece has gone through a complex series of casting and mould-making to achieve its final form. This project is my personal response to this socio-political subject therefore the body impressions are modelled off myself. The hand slots are scaled to accommodate other body types. This enables others to be put in my shoes and opens a conversation about the effects that the gender binary has on queer identities
Description by designer:
This project is an examination of the female ideal and the negative effect caused by the rigid gender binary that is ingrained in our societal construct. This binary upholds notions of cis-heteronormativity and ‘Other’ those that do not its meet criteria. This predominately damages queer identities and my project is a personal reflection of the forced projection of performative femininity onto women and therefore the suppression of masculinity in an attempt to ‘fit in’. In representing the underrepresented female masculinity I focus on archetypal gender expression in today’s western society by exploring themes closely associated with femininity.
Gender is consolidated through what queer theorist Butler describes as a repetition of “rituals” or “bodily gestures, movements, and styles of various kinds” that publicly signify the illusion of an abiding gendered self. I wish to explore these “rituals” and focus on what I constitute as ‘gendered actions’, particularly actions which signify femininity or are in relation to ideas that society places on womanhood. The series represents a morning routine. The collection therefore it has all chronology to it, starting with the piece ‘Shaving Armpits’ and culminating in ‘Sitting Cross-legged’. The video, ‘Female Masculinity’ showcases seven pieces, including ‘Putting On Lipstick’.
The Jesmonite blocks with casting negatives of body parts contextualise their placement. The rigidity of the material provides a level of discomfort and forces the wearer into that position without deviation from the ‘gendered action’. Each piece has gone through a complex series of casting and mould-making to achieve its final form. This project is my personal response to this socio-political subject therefore the body impressions are modelled off myself. The hand slots are scaled to accommodate other body types. This enables others to be put in my shoes and opens a conversation about the effects that the gender binary has on queer identities