ELIZABETH TELFER

12 STUDIO ARTS

Freedom vs Oppression

The focus of my final artworks “progress(?)” and “inside out” is about questioning social mores pertaining to gender based behaviours, and subverting them through imagery and physical composition of the works. The series “progress(?)” is ironic and satirical, mocking the “progress” of a male holding a “feminine” drink and a female holding beer, traditionally seen as a “men’s drink.” My focus is to encourage viewers to examine and question this scenario, evaluating whether this seems like an indication of progress or whether it is simply trifle tokenism. The slogan at the bottom of the posters has been recontextualised from the 1960s Virginia Slims cigarette advert, which expressed “women’s cigarettes” as an indicator of social progression and acceptance. By incorporating it into my artwork, I make fun of this notion. My second artwork “inside out” consists of an embellished and dyed corset top and a handmade, decorated circle skirt. The artwork title comes from the repurposing of a corset from traditionally a concealed undergarment into a decorative outer garment, and the top tulle and net layers of the circle skirt which should be underneath forming a petticoat. By decorating these garments and making them eye-catching, I am providing freedom from the oppression of fashion conventionality.