Liberation and Occupation: My personal study is based around the theme of “occupation and liberation”. I have personally interpreted this theme in a historical context, whereby I will be investigating the way gender stereotypes have evolved and developed over the years (from the mid 20th century to now), and therefore will be identifying the differences between the past (where gender roles and stereotypes were more pronounced and conservative – occupation) and now (where gender roles and stereotypes are becoming more fluid and liberal, with focus being drawn towards an individuals personal goals and expression, rather than their gender – liberation)

Gender: My personal study will be focusing on gender roles, and the stereotypes that society labels both men and women with. My work will focus on giving examples of where gender roles are abided to, and where they are challenged, and the difference in the viewers opinions towards these 2 ends of the spectrum.

Stereotypes: I will focus on identifying and presenting well known gender stereotypes in an overt, obvious way, as to allow the viewers of my work to clearly identify these stereotypes, and possibly relate to witnessing/experiencing these stereotypes, therefore allowing them to relate more to the work.

Phoebe Jane Barrett: Barrett’s work focuses on the concept of breaking the stereotype of men having no emotions, with their masculinity being the main focus of their personalities. I will be taking inspiration from Barrett’s presentation of men as just as emotional and human as women, in order to reflect the harmful gender stereotypes that men face (that are perhaps less spoken about), in my own work.

Cindy Sherman: Cindy’s work focuses on creating bold an loud images, that represent the absurdity of how women are portrayed in the media. I feel that her work is extremely identifiable, and I have taken inspiration from her bold style.

• “Compare how Phoebe Jane Barrett and Cindy Sherman challenge gender stereotypes in their work“

• How do photographers such as Phoebe Jane Barrett and Cindy Sherman challenge stereotypical gender roles in their work?”

• “How is masculinity and femininity portrayed in the work of Cindy Sherman and Phoebe Jane Barrett?”

• “Compare how Cindy Sherman presents women in her photography with how Helmut Newton presents women in his photography”