Stereotypes and Dysphoria

Stereotypes and Dysphoria, Chaz Howkins, 2015, mirror and paint

I further explored the potential of using mirrors to express gender dysphoria with this (rather unsuccessful) piece by distorting the reflection with paint.  I used blue paint to contrast the surrounding pink frame, highlighting the contrast of the gender binaries and expressing how someone may be surrounded by pink but see themselves in blue.

Gender stereotypes in advertising

Boys Toys, Chaz Howkins, 2015, collage

Girls Toys, Chaz Howkins, 2015, collage

Following my larger collages, I decided to collage the gendered products over male and female faces, which I feel was not as successful but does create an interesting contrast between the two portraits.

Gender stereotypes in advertising

Girl/Boy, Chaz Howkins, collage, 2015

These collages are made up of gendered advertisements for children's toys in an Argos catalogue.  I wanted to highlight the extent to which products are unnecessarily gendered, especially when aimed at children.