While reading the feminist writings of Andrea Dworkin, specifically her book Pornography, Men Possessing Women as part of my dissertation research a particular phrase struck a chord.
“The two poles of her existence as a white woman are underscored: she is boss, she is total submissive.”
It made me think about the decades of fighting for gender equality and ask myself whether I felt any real progression had ever been made. A particular artwork by Allen Jones came into my head; the series Hatstand, Table and Chair, 1969, the Table element of which is pictured here.
Table, 1969, Allen Jones
At the time of their creation and even now, these pieces have caused huge uproar because of their overtly misogynistic content. They instantly intrigued me, and combined with the Dworkin quote made me want to use them somehow in my own work.
I decided that a parody of the sculpture, representing the continuing struggle of women against objectification in the modern world was an avenue I wanted to explore and so went about developing a plan for creating my own take on his sculptures.
Video of experimental work
Having found a good sized piece of glass I needed to see how easily I would be able to support it when it rested on my back. Not being a fibreglass mannequin means not being able to secure the glass to my shoulder blades! By supporting the glass in order to allow me to crawl under it to then lift it gently with my back I was able to confirm that it was at least doable with some assistance setting up the photo shoot.
Although the idea of a performance/installation piece with me displayed as per Jones’s table, in an exhibition setting for audience members to view over a length of time, practicality won and photographs became more attractive a possibility. (the glass is very heavy and difficult to maintain at the correct angle for long periods)
