In an effort to counter orthodox masculinity, my work uses ornamentation
and the insertion of my own queer body into a hyper masculine context, which
will expand existing notions of masculinity, into more inclusive ones. I will discuss
issues of acceptance and visibility that affect queer athletes and the greater
implications. My thesis exhibition will be completed in two parts: a live
performance art piece and a gallery exhibition of sculpture and photography. The
artwork has an autobiographical point of departure informed by my own family's
personal mythology surrounding our Scandinavian heritage, while also reflecting
on my identity, as a queer, lower class person with a rural Saskatchewan
upbringing. I use artwork as a tool to create discussion and dialogue, which
forwards my own agenda of creating more inclusive versions of masculinity. This
is significant when looking at the social atmosphere facing queers in North
America.