Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis presents a discussion of a photographic representation of lesbian identity in
Southern Africa. Two photographic series, Does your lifestyle depress your mother? and
the Dyke Career Series (collectively referred to/exhibited as Lavender Menace) produced
during the period 1997 to 1999 form the practical component of this MA submission.
Lavender Menace is considered in relation to lesbian identity, lesbian social visibility,
stereotypes and the relationship between photography and 'reality'. The various readings
that the works can be said to have, are discussed and an explanation of the purpose in
photographing the 'ordinariness' of the lesbians who were imaged, is included.
A historical overview of the concepts 'lesbian', and 'visibility'specifically in South
Africa during the last 50 years, and how homophobia has affected lesbian life is
presented in Chapter One.
In Chapter Two, the notion of stereotypes is examined, particularly those of the 'butch'
lesbian and the 'lipstick' or 'chic' lesbian. Neither of these stereotypes is entirely
accurate and the role of stereotypes in potentially disseminating mis-information and
prejudice, and how this influences potential ways of identity construction, is discussed. It
can be seen that this influence of stereotypes on lesbians and lesbian visual representation
cannot be ignored as the dominant stereotypes in society are too pervasive.
The notion of readability is explored in Chapter Three. The constructed nature of
photography, specifically with regard to Lavender Menace, is discussed in relation to
truth, theatricality, the use of text and possible readings of the work. An explanation of
my particular purpose in choosing to photograph in the way I did is included, concluding
that although meaning is not fixed, the intention of the artist can be visually presented in
a 'legible' manner (if desired) to assist possible interpretations. This thesis/research has been utilised to inform my own artistic production, by exploring
the questions and issues raised while producing Lavender Menace, namely lesbian
visibility, the use of stereotypes and how images are interpreted. This thesis and
Lavender Menace should contribute to the general research area by promoting social
visibility of lesbians in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis bied 'n bespreking van 'n fotografiese voorstelling van lesbiese identiteit in
Suid-Afrika. Die praktiese komponent van die voorlegging vir die Meestersgraad bestaan
uit twee reekse fotos, Does your lifestyle depress your mother? en Dyke Career Series,
wat in die periode vanaf 1997 tot 1999 geproduseer is (en gesamentlik as Lavender
Menace uitgestal/beskou word). Lavender Menace word in verhouding tot lesbiese
identitieit, lesbiese sosiale sigbaarheid, stereotipes en die verhouding tussen fotografie en
'werklikheid' beskou. Die verskillende lesings/beduidenisse wat die werk sou kon hê,
word bespreek en 'n verduideliking van die doelstelling met die fotografering van die
'gewoonheid' van die lesbiese wat verbeeld is, word ingesluit.
'n Historiese oorsig van die konsepte 'lesbies' en 'sigbaarheid', veral in Suid-Afrika
gedurende die afgelope 50 jaar, en hoe homofobie die lesbiese lewenswyse geaffekteer
het, word in Hoofstuk Een aangebied.
In Hoofstuk Twee word die idee van stereotipes ondersoek, veral die van die 'butch' en
die 'lipstiffie-', of'sjiek' lesbiese vrou. Geeneen van hierdie stereotipes is geheel-en-al
korrek nie en die rol van stereotipes in die potensiële verspreiding van verkeerde inligting
en vooroordeel en hoe dit die potensiële wyses vir die konstruksie van identiteit affekteer,
word bespreek. Daar word getoon dat die invloed van stereotipering op die lesbiese vrou
en die lesbiese visuele voorstelling nie geïgnoreer kan word nie, aangesien die
oorheersende stereotipes in die samelewing te deurdringend is.
Die idee van leesbaarheid word in Hoofstuk Drie ondersoek. Die gekonstrueerde aard
van fotografie, veral met betrekking tot Lavender Menace, word met betrekking tot die
waarheid, die teatrale, die gebruik van teks en moontlike lesings/interpretasies van die
werk bespreek. 'n Verduideliking van my besondere doelstelling met die keuse van hoé
om te fotografeer word ingesluit, met die konklusie dat, alhoewel betekenis nie finaal
vasgelê is nie, die bedoeling van die kunstenaar visueel op 'n 'leesbare' manier voorgestel
kan word (indien dit verlang word) om moontlike interpretasies te ondersteun. Die tesis/navorsing is aangewend om my eie artistieke produksie in te lig deur die vrae en
kwessies wat gedurende die produksie van Lavender Menace na vore gekom het, namens
lesbiese sigbaarheid, die gebruik van stereotipes en hoe beelde geïnterpreteer word, te
ondersoek. Hierdie tesis, tesame met Lavender Menace, behoort Inbydrae te lewer tot
die navorsingveld in die algemeen deur die bevordering van die sosiale sigbaarheid van
die lesbiese in Suid-Afrika.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/51873 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Brundrit, Jean |
| Contributors | Arnold, M., Ractliffe, J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Dept. of Visual Arts . |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 113 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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