NAIL TECH

2021, 22cm L X 4cm H

Mixed Media Sculpture, Clay, Plastic Gems,  PVA Glue, Tinfoil.

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By making this 'meat' anthropomorphic, not only could this art work be portrayed as the questioning of the consumption of meat, as although animals many not have the same intelligence as humans, they are still living, bringing things. But also, this can be interrupted, through the ideals of sexuality and the imagery of slaughter linking to females, which juxtaposes this concept that meat and its consumption is a manly attribute.

The gender roles and stereotypes associated with food became embedded in patriarchal societies and continued throughout history. Philosopher G.W.F. Hegel connects gender and food in his 1820 book “Elements of the Philosophy of Right,” in which he states: “The difference between men and women is like that between animals and plants. Men correspond to animals, while women correspond to plants because their development is more placid.” The correlation between plant foods and femininity exists today—effeminate or queer men are labeled “fruity” or “fruitcake,” to highlight their passive, “unmanly” nature. Meanwhile, more masculine women are often labeled “butch,” evoking images of butchery and the killing of animals and drawing attention to what is seen as more aggressive, manly attributes. These slang terms associate the slaughtering of animals with masculine power, and the gentle stillness of fruit with feminine compliance, just as Hegel described.

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