Why have there been no men artists?: analyzing awareness of masculinities through the artworks of ''men'' artists post 1990 in Turkey

Official URL: http://192.168.1.20/record=b1558816 (Table of Contents)

In parallel with feminist, LGBT and queer discussions, this research examines critical awareness of masculinities in the works of men artists in Turkish contemporary art after 1990. The research discusses criteria for critical masculinities that men artists can develop against the gender order, as well as the necessity and possibility of such an opposition. The main criteria of choosing the works of men artists, which present or do not present critical awareness of masculinities, are that these works have to have been produced and exhibited after 1990, and they discuss gender regimes through masculinities. Artworks are questioned if and how the gender order and artists' own masculinities are problematized and/or cooperation of the artists with masculine domination through their artistic visualization and conceptualization. Criticisms about the works and the statements of the artists are also referred in the examination. The thesis concerns embracing criticaly that 'men identities' are only temporarily necessary for 'men artists,' who are usually referred to as only 'artists,' unlike 'women artists.' It suggests that men should start seeking subversive strategies to transform the gender order by making their beneficiary gender visible and their agencies questionable.