After experiencing numerous social revolts, we claim to be modern and open to acceptance. But are we really as broad-minded as we profess to be? Are we able to present our identities, our affirmations? Can we speak up without fear of being judged or shushed? It is still difficult to avoid stereotyping and stigmatizing in many aspects of our lives. Art often plays a vital role in critical discussion, encouraging us to reexamine collective perspectives on vast issues. What are the current rules in art making? Do they apply to everyone equally? Rachael McArthur, a Canadian studio based photographer reveals the obstacles of denudation in contemporary art and public agenda.
Rachael asks, “Can I be me?”
In general, art is deemed to exemplify self-expression or to amplify critical voice. Rachael’s representations do both. Her photography portrays her individuality and sexuality. Equally, it calls into question the public perception of the female body. On a daily basis we are stimulated by the overproduction of media filled with the objectification of women and idealized femme nudity. But in the male dominated hegemony of capitalism, are we allowed to speak for ourselves? The artist got tired of how often female nudity is being sexualized by many photographers’ work. Rachael claims her body back from the common discourse by manifesting the way she feels in sexual roles and what they mean to her.
For this purpose, Rachael has created her masked alter ego, Blanche Dumont. The doll-like face covering comes from a community which consists mainly of strong white men who find empowerment through the female body. However, Rachael uses it as a form of safety and to address the general expectations of how a woman should look and act. Protected and empowered, Rachael puts her middle finger up as she honestly exhibits her own sexual fantasies and preferences. She restages them in self-photography series.
Parallel to and as an extension of her alter ego, Rachael uses a blow up doll to critically assess the portrayal of the female body. Although it may sound like a joke, it does exhibit the widespread perception of a femme. “Well, if I am like this blow up doll, what will she do the whole day while her owner is out? And… Why does the man doll just keep smiling, while the female version has her mouth constantly open?”
photos by PILOTENKUECHE
Who’s entitled to expose?
Apparently people are starting to embrace their sexuality and social acceptance appears to be improving. Nevertheless, we can still experience the suppression and judgement that come from public norms. Along with the honest embodying of unique identities and desires, obstacles also rise in exhibiting art. The artist faces problems presenting her work despite the fact that pictures are not explicitly nude. Ironically, we are allowed access to a mountain of video clips presenting feminine nudity and sexuality. Likewise, an enormous amount of “classical” paintings depicting naked female bodies, proudly hang in national museums. Just what are the rules of depicting the naked body and sexuality? And, perhaps more importantly, who gets to decide?
The truth hides in details
Moving away from Hot dreams and restaging fantasies, Rachael has recently been following a new approach in her work. In her current project, I really do wish you the best, where one relates to another, the artist exploits her personal experiences. After a major life change, Rachael began to write poems. In words she found a way to honestly expose what she was feeling. Now she is interpreting them into 3D by meticulously building hyper detailed miniature sets. These she is shooting. With the final photographic pieces, she is exposing intimate narratives through the restaging of memories.
Rachael perceives her recent work as more honest and intimate. Precisely constructing each element of the sets makes her feel that her voice comes across. This is essential, as she intends to share her own story specifically. “I don’t know how to represent anybody else’s story. And it just doesn’t feel right to do that because… I can photograph somebody else but… I am not that person,” she says. In terms of that, her new body of work appears to be even more universally relevant. While some can appreciate the courageous honesty, others can benefit from the process of healing and letting go. And isn’t this one of the intentions of artistic expression?
Shall the artistic expression obey the rules?
Regardless of whether the art is just about an amorous dream, seeks to defy former stereotypes or to illustrate a truthful memoir, we should not misunderstand the main purpose of her creations. Daily, we are repeatedly judged or shushed and obliged to conform social norms. Shouldn’t art serve as a safe escape route? Above all, if we claim to be “modern” and “advanced” societies, why do we constantly perpetuate prior stereotypes and prejudices? In her bid to openly speak about her life and femininity, for Rachael McArthur, one statement remains crucial: “I am comfortable with myself”.
Written by Aleksandra Szapańska
You can find out the latest on Rachael’s website. The results of her work can be seen at our PK shows…
WARM WHITE COW
vernissage:
19.02.22 19Uhr
performance:
Janne Steinhardt
open:
20, 24-27 Feb
14-19Uhr
Alte Handelsschule
75 Geisserstr
COZY CONCRETE CABLE STORE
vernissage:
19.03.22
19Uhr
performance:
Janne Steinhardt
Matilde Søes Rasmussen
open:
20-24 March 14-18 Uhr
PILOTENKUECHE
Franz-Flemming-Str 9