Exploring the issues surrounding contemporary masculinity viewed from the position of a middle-aged white male is the basis for my art practice.More specifically, at this time my image making revolves around the proposition that constructed masculinity inhibits individual males form experiencing deep emotional intimacy as there is a disconnection between the constructed external masculine and the internal male.The proposition is that there is an emotional barrier to deep and meaningful relationships which can only be overcome through individual males allowing themselves to be vulnerable; that is to say emotionally open to those whom they want to connect with in a deeply intimate way.
Masculine Me(n) Project Artist's Statement
He is constructed from many facets.You know some of them: He opens his identity to you cautiously as he is vulnerable. Your experience of this identity is his protection and he wants you to experience him as masculine.He won’t reveal all.He experiences you similarly but he longs to know you better and connect at a deeper level.He feels whole when this intimacy occurs.
So there is a hollow man inside of me(n).Our culture has constructed masculine me(n).Gender has been laid upon me(n) as well.Power, privilege & position (Horrocks 1994) belong to me(n):but low internal satisfaction enshrouds me(n).I am a normal man:all men are normal.Can’t you recognise our wounds.
Jon graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art Photography in 2008 and is now completing his Honours Degree year. His research area is the construction of Masculinity: its issues of gender, identity and vulnerability.
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