The three artists – Nelson, Shaw, and McLeod – critique masculinity with a new age understanding of how masculinity affects all aspects of society. The use of relatable themes that many of the younger generations’- would have experienced is extremely effective, the personal insights resonate with those who have gone through the same experience. The artists’ subject matter covers areas of masculinity such as forced heterosexuality, homophobia, physicality, emotional suppression, male identity, sexism, and other discrimination (e.g., racism and transphobia). When cross examining their works with thesis, feminist theory and statistics of masculinity, the works cover all bases seen in the research into masculinity. Nelson’s work focuses on the physical side of masculinity, the brute force, the testosterone induced fights, the need to ‘one up one on another’ by showing strength. Nelson focuses in on these issues, tackling through his subject matter, what lies as the issue causing these problems, emotional suppression, and patriarchal teaching, i.e., not being a failure. Shaw mirrors these concepts, whilst also exploring male depression and suicide (and why it is prevalent) by speaking on issues caused from growing up in working-class environments. Masculinity brews in all environments but Shaw – exploring his personal experience with masculinity – speaks up about a hidden truth. McLeod similarly exposes this hidden truth, he looks at male performativity, the struggle for heteronormativity and how it inherently causes discrimination. His Glaswegian roots inspired him, seeing football fans from the same city fight over archaic masculine ideals that plague their fandom. Moreover, his work also investigates masculinity and its intimate tie with discrimination, how and why it is so prevalent.
*Part of the 2022-2023 Fine Art cohort
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