Sexually Explicit Art, Feminist Theory, and Gender in the 1970s

This book explores the relationships between art, feminist theory, gender, and sexuality through a systematic examination of a diverse range of artworks. It investigates the potential of sexually explicit art to challenge societal norms and promote agency for marginalized subjectivities. The author focuses on works by four US-American artists and situates them in the context of the 1970s Sexual Liberation Movements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This monograph delves into the intricate connections between art, feminist theory, gender, and sexuality, utilizing sexual desire as its central analytical category. With a systematic approach, it examines a diverse range of artworks to explore the multifaceted entanglements of these subjects. The book aims to challenge the socially constructed notions of sexuality and gender and to explore the sexually explicit as a means to reclaim agency for marginalized subjectivities and to emancipate desire from within the patriarchal and heteronormative system.

In distinct case studies, the author focuses on the works of four US-American artists: Robert Mapplethorpe, Joan Semmel, Betty Tompkins, and Tee A. Corinne. These artists are situated within the context of contemporaneous debates associated with the insurgent Sexual Liberation Movements of the 1970s. By examining these works, the author seeks to shed light on the ways in which art can contribute to the reimagining of sexual norms and the empowerment of individuals.

This book will appeal to scholars engaged in art history, visual culture, and gender and sexuality studies. It offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the intersections of art, feminism, gender, and sexuality, providing a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of these complex subjects.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032122571