When I created this piece, a bold and simple silhouette of a female body, I was exploring the complex emotions that society holds towards female sexuality. I purposed the silhouette to be abstract and lack individual details, to symbolise the way women’s bodies are often viewed as universal objects of desire. There is something unsettling in how, even in conversations about equality and liberation, we keep returning to the female body as a central focus.
Yes, the body matters, but it often overshadows other aspects of identity. Even in movements centred on empowerment, the focus on the body remains, as though women’s worth is still bound to their physical form. This emphasis brings me to a broader question: is it truly possible to redefine gender roles, not just in one society, but globally?
In the West, where consumerism, social media, and a relatively free press can shape public opinion and culture quickly, conversations around gender and equality are more fluid. Ideas about what it means to be a woman, and the expectations attached to femininity, can evolve rapidly. Campaigns, public figures, and cultural movements can challenge norms, and there’s a certain willingness to revisit and revise old ideals. Even though deeply rooted challenges persist, Western societies offer a degree of flexibility that allows concepts like body positivity, gender fluidity, and redefining femininity to gain traction.
However, in many non-Western societies, where cultural traditions and social roles are deeply entrenched, the landscape is vastly different. Gender roles in these contexts are woven into the fabric of everyday life, reinforced by family structures, religious beliefs, and customs. The female body, and what it symbolises, is often seen through a lens of modesty, honour, and familial duty, making change a far more complex and delicate process.
Challenging these norms around the female body or sexuality can carry significant social consequences, as individual identity is frequently interwoven with collective or familial identity. While flexible systems may allow for change through media and social discourse, these more robust systems are slower to shift. True transformation in these societies often requires not only a rethinking of the female body’s symbolism but also a reimagining of broader social values and relationships. It’s not just about altering perceptions of the individual; it involves challenging the collective frameworks that have been passed down over generations.
This makes me question whether it’s even possible to separate a woman’s identity from her body on a global scale.
How feasible is it to reframe gender roles so that a person’s worth is not so tightly tied to physical form, when centuries of tradition and cultural values reinforce the opposite? Perhaps meaningful change will require us to approach gender and identity with a nuanced understanding that respects different cultural contexts. What works in one society may not directly apply to another, and pushing for a universal standard may not always honour the complexities of each cultural framework.
As I worked on this piece, I thought about Foucault’s theories on sexuality and control. Foucault argued that society controls and regulates sexuality as a means of exerting power. This artwork became a way for me to process that tension, expressing a desire to reclaim the female form while recognising that desire is an inseparable part of how women are perceived. Art provides a way to explore the female body, not as the sole story of equality, but as part of a larger narrative that includes intellect, strength, and individuality.
Through this, I wanted to provoke thought and open up conversation. It isn’t just an image of a body; it’s my way of wrestling with these ideas and sharing my perspective. By sharing it, I hope to encourage others to reflect on these intersections of sexuality, desire, and what true equality could look like in a world where perspectives are shaped by both modern ideals and deep cultural roots.
Sources:
Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction. Translated by Robert Hurley, Pantheon Books, 1978.
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