Blurring the Lines of Gender Norms

Written by Lara Nambisan

Claude Cahun was a non binary artist in the 1920s, reflecting themes of gender and identity in their work. They managed to blur the lines between masculinity and femininity, in an attempt to protest gender and sexual norms. At a time where gender identity was not explored beyond man and woman, Cahun created stark, sometimes playful, but deliberately equivocal photos of themself through theatre, performance, and costume that underlies their work. Their works encompass a blurring of gender indicators and behaviours which serve to undermine the patriarchal gaze. Decades after their death, they have a growing following among art historians, feminists and people in the LGBTQ+ community.