The Constructed Self: Queer Male Identity in Contemporary Art Practice

The multifaceted discourse of queer male identity finds itself aptly situated at the crossroads of artistic intervention and critical theory. These intersections aren’t merely representative but are rather dialogic processes, catalysing an understanding of a subject that is inherently decentered. This article seeks to negotiate the contours of this subjectivity, pivoting on artworks that function as incarnations of emotional states, psychological experiences, and societal paradigms. <img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*0O2Fup5vpw3MMNCYZu2LQg.jpeg" style="height:394px; width:700px" /> Narcissus Boarding, 2023. Joel Mackenzie Resisting the Gaze: Subversions of Scopophilia in Cinematic Isolation In this evocative series, the artist’s mastery of cinematic scenography comes to the fore. Utilising stark minimal residential interiors as backdrops, the compositions translate the artist’s boarding school experiences into visual language. Within these sterile environments, young males are positioned in solitude, donned in quasi-school uniforms – blazers, shirts, ties, and shorts. These choices amplify a sense of existence without passion, of life lived but not felt. <a href="https://medium.com/@joelmackenziii/the-constructed-self-queer-male-identity-in-contemporary-art-practice-3671cae43f06">Read More</a>