In Alan Boureaus study of Pope Joan- Legend refers to her as Androgyne or Hermaphrodite eliding the distintion between transvestitism and anataomical ambiguity.
“Hermaphroditic pope” when we look at the old testiment Genesis 1:27 Adam envisaged as androgynos- the Image of god divide into two to fashion into Eve a Integration of heavenly and earthly traits suited the preistly vocation.
Hermaphroditus son of Mercury and Venus.
Most Medieval and early modern Mythographers saw hermaphroditus a metamorphosis as a loss of virtue ,reason, potency,or as a fall into Indolence, and wordliness. And in turn Salmacis the nymph who was Infatuated with Hermaphroditus was seen as the blame to prompt his fall, as a vain, whorish temptress.
Hermaphroditus and Salmacis declare that Idolness nurses voluptuousness, which in turn breeds sin “which linking together make men effeminate unworldly and weak.
During my research I came across a Nun born during the 15th century,her name was Sour Plautilla Nelli, and this painting Titled The last supper, it is interesting that women were not allowed to paint the male form, and looking closley at this painting the men here seem to have a feminity about them, It is believed that the people depicted here were actually women taking on the guise of a man.
Thinking of disguise today ,I made a return to the print room to create some ghost like Images.
Experimenting with religious themes again.
Eurovision time again! ones attention turned to Conchita Wurst Austrias Eurovision contestant, billed as a Transvestite singer.
The Alter ego of 25 year old Austrian Thomas Neuworth has shocked audiences by challenging the sterotype of masculine and femine beauty.
Stained Glass Windows have held a facination for me since I was a child.
The windows In these Images are traditional as well as contempoary. This lead me on to the Idea of creating my own out of drawing and collage.
