INTRODUCTION ‘Boys don’t cry. Be a man. Grow a pair.
e a man. Grow a pair.’ These are the all too familiar phrases that dominate
• Introduce the context of the task. Make
note of your purpose as a composer and
how you believe your visual
representation captures the theme of
‘Finding Ourselves’ in this online
exhibition of contemporary
representations of identity.
• Thesis: Introduce your two ideas about
identity that capture this theme.
Remember, your thesis must take into
account that YOU as a COMPOSER have
wielded visual language in a unique
manner to achieve your purpose, that is
to represent these two ideas about
identity.
• Provide insight into your purpose as a
composer. What type of impact you hope
to have on your audience? Who do you
hope is your audience? What will they
reflect on? (all must come back to the
concept of identity
• BODY PARAGRAPH 1
BODY PARAGRAPH 2
• Topic Sentence: Explain how you as a
composer have effectively visual
language to represent your IDEA about
identity which in turn empowers your
audiences to reflect upon …
• Example 1 from Visual Representation:
Identify and explain how you have used a
visual technique in your visual
representation to represent your first
idea about identity. You can include
references to real world examples here
of this idea. Comment on how your use
of these techniques enables you to
achieve your purpose as a composer, that
is to influence/compel your audiences to
re-evaluate their understanding of your
first idea about identity.
• Example 2 > Technique 2 (must be
different from previous). Repeat steps as
above.
• Example 3 > Technique 3 (must be
different from previous) Repeat steps as
above.
Once again make note of how your skilful use
of visual language has enabled you to
create visual representation that captures
the theme of ‘Finding Ourselves’, in turn
making your visual representation an
excellent addition to this online exhibition.
CONCLUSION
Commented [LU1]: Use a tricolon of statements to hook
societal rhetoric when it comes to characterising the pinnacle of God’s creations. Man. But the audience
when will we realise that these seemingly harmless attributes that we place upon boys and
men, are actually doing more harm than good? It is this question that drove me to create a Commented [LU2]: Use of provocative Rhetorical
text that explores the complexity of toxic masculinity and its ability to distort an individual’s Question
sense of self. My piece, Hanged, uses this lens of toxic masculinity to explore the notion
that: (3) Whilst communal identity plays an integral role in the foundation of personal Commented [LU3]: Topic is introduced to narrow the
identity, it may also paradoxically overshadow individuality causing a hindrance to our ability focus of ideas
to ultimately develop a true sense of self.
My piece allows audiences to question the impacts of collective identity on the individual as
it captures the struggles of the individual in fostering a true sense of personal identity, thus
rendering it a text that entirely encompasses the concept of the online exhibition, ‘Finding Commented [LU4]: The beauty of difference exhibition
Ourselves’. It is my hope that audiences can interrogate their own involvement in not mentioned – could be integrated more explicitly.
perpetuating undercurrent stigmas that restrict individuals from breaking free of toxic
rhetoric that inhibit their expression of true individual identity.
You’ve seen it countless times, maybe you have even participated in it - Young boys are Commented [LU5]: Use of second person pronouns allows
being bombarded with masculine paraphernalia at every stage of their lives by the society in audiences to become involved within the process and to
hopes of allowing them to realise that the orthodox male identity is the foundation of a share culpability.
personal identity.
Hanged, directs a contemporary audience to consider that although society constructs rigid
standards for male identity, what is often overlooked is the tendency for such standards to
inhibit the development of a male’s true sense of self.
The salient figure that dominates in centre of my artwork draws the audience’s attention to
the ambiguous individual who bound in this disturbing predicament. To accentuate the idea Commented [LU6]: Connective phrase
that individual identity has been painfully smothered by collective identity, I have
superimposed a religious and cultural allusion to Michelangelo’s statue of ‘David’, a
traditional celebration of strength and masculinity, onto the body of the Hanged Man to
signify the suffocating pressures that individuals face in the hopes of attaining a surreal
standard of Masculinity. The allusion allows the audience to reflect on the timelessness of
such toxic rhetoric regarding ideal forms of masculinity and how it has been perpetuated
consistently despite the passing of time. Thus, the true identity of the individual is ultimately
omitted, creating a harrowing sense of unease in the responder as it renders him no one,
yet paradoxically, anyone – a universal representation of the individual man in the modern
world.
Through intertextuality, my piece draws upon the structural allusion to a Tarot Card to
encircle the plight of the individual’s search for identity as tarot cards have been used occult
communities to bring to consciousness the circumstances that surround life and being.
Specifically, I have used ‘The Reversed Hanged Man’ card as it symbolises, through its
inverse form, stagnancy and inner turmoil that is engendered within man who cannot form a
true sense of self to confront audiences with the unchanging effects of toxic masculinity on
a male’s expression of identity.
*Could add in the statistic that young men are more likely to commit acts of self harm than women. >
link back to how this is a clear example of how ind. Identity has been inhibited by society’s standards for
men.
• Briefly mention again what your purpose is and the impact you hope to have on
audiences viewing the online exhibition. (2 sentences max)