By Kat Chua
In a recent class survey I was asked to answer the following:
What is your gender? [choose one]
a. Male b. Female
I rolled my eyes and added: c. Other. If my grandmother had been with me at that moment she would have smirked and made some reference about being a product of my time. I would have replied, “Aren’t we all.”
Later that day I read an article about Thomas Beatie, formally known as Tracey, who was born with female reproductive organs. However, Tracy underwent a partial sex change, grew a beard, had a name change, and married a woman. The two then decided to have a child. Thomas having maintained his female reproductive organs conceived through artificial insemination and is now pregnant. Thomas Beatie is not the first transgender to have a baby. Reading this story I was both excited and heart-wrenched. It was wonderful to see the possibilities and redefinition of family, but at the same time, the article spoke of the disgust and criticism some have toward Thomas Beatie and his partner’s decision. They were referred to as the “harbinger of the apocalypse.”
The events of this day led to my wondering about sex, gender, and identity. I have now doubt that if I had been in my grandmother’s time and place (Philippines, 1919-present) I would have without hesitation selected “b. Female.” Yet I didn’t circle it. In fact, I don’t circle it with conviction. I don’t select female as my gender because I associate the word with reproductive organs, not sexual orientation. But is gender simply just about sexual orientation? Thomas Beatie made a decision to keep his female reproductive organs and have a baby; yet he changed his name to a traditional male name. What is his gender? Can gender change? Who decides this? Is gender for the individual, or for the rest of society? According to the article reporting on Thomas Beatie’s pregnancy, a Jessica Cantelon of Townhall.com classifies Thomas Beatie and I are products of society’s embrace of the ‘gender-neutral society,’ which is peddling traditional notions of ‘male’ and ‘female’ as social constructs. Cantelon is not shy about where she stands. My study on the other hand is not about choosing sides on the matter, but rather an exploration of what the definition of gender looks like.
Through the Eyes of My Gender seeks to explore the definition of sex, gender, and identity, and their relationship to each other within the cultural context of my understanding. In addition, I will explore the role of visual images and language in relation to sex, gender, and identity. How does one inform the other? Can gender be seen? What are the symbols of gender? What does my gender look like? The study will be based mainly on my experience with my sex, gender, and identity in addition to my studies in Professor Mooney’s course “Sex, Gender, and Language.”
Technique, Pattern, & Style
I intend to draw inspiration from the works of Judy Chicago, Frida Khalo, R.B. Kitaj, and China Marks. The works of Frida Khalo address and explore her cultural and sexual identity with the use of figurative imagery. Her life’s work accounts the journey and landscape of her identity, where in which sex and gender play a great role. Similar to the works of Khalo, R.B. Kitaj also uses figurative imagery, but his focus is on his identity as a Jew. The works of Judy Chicago, specifically her piece The Dinner Party, brings forth a representation and celebration of 39 women . Chicago’s installation pays homage to women in history, as well as being a visual translation of the identities of women who have paved the road to the redefining of the anatomy of sex and gender. What interests me most is Chicago’s selection of visual representation of her perception of her subjects. With Khalo and Kitaj, I am interested in their selection of visual representations of their perception of themselves and their journeys.
In terms of technique, I intend to present figurative paintings featuring areas of bright color, in combination with photography, and the use of line and overlapping planes, which make them resemble collages. I will also apply the use of needle and thread unto the canvas as inspired by China Marks.
Through the Eyes of My Gender will present the journey of exploration, dissection, and celebration of the anatomy of my gender.
Submitted to:
Instructor: Diane Leon-Ferdico
Advisor: Brian Mooney
