The CCA gallery displayed photographic works of Claude Cahun (1894-1954) and Clare Rae. Claude Cahun was an experimental queer artist and moved to Jersey in 1930 with her female partner Marcel Moore. Cahun’s self portrait photographs have become influential for artists dealing with questions of gender identity and the representation of the female body. While Clare Rae was in Jersey she photographed a series called ‘Never standing on two feet’ where she considered Cahun’s interaction with the physical and cultural landscapes of Jersey. The photographs Claude Cahun has captured in Jersey are intimate and explore an idea of self in the environment. While taking the images for her series, Clare had in mind Cahun’s photographic gestures and the result of a woman’s body aging over time.

The exhibition was displayed well with Claude Cahun’s work on one side of the room and Clare Rae’s on the other. Although their works were in separate room the space had a nice flow as there was a large opening to both ends so you could easily go from one room to the other and compare the similarities in their photographs. Unlike Rae’s, Claude Cahun’s work has been displayed in sections so you can progressively see how her photography has changed and how she has developed as a person by exploring her gender identity.

You can tell that Clare Rae has been inspired by Claude Cahun since her response to Cahun’s work is very similar. She has used Cahun’s style in her series by incorporating the human body into the natural environment as if they are part of it. Both works are in black and white and they both have blurred an indication of gender by only revealing certain parts of the body.

This image by Cahun depicts a rock with arms extended out. The person is blending themselves into the natural environment and becoming the rock. This photo explores identity since the viewer questions who the hands belong to. I think the hand gesture suggests an emotion of anger since Cahun is struggling with gender identity.  However, it’s difficult to tell because of the lack of body parts visible in the frame. Since she was queer it would of been difficult for her at the time to blend in with everyone else as it was uncommon. Because she is hidden behind the rock, I think it represents her struggling to show her true self to society.

Clare Rae has gained influence from Cahun’s work since the person in the image is giving themselves into nature and becoming a part of it. She has shaped herself into the rock and seems to be in an uncomfortably position. Like the other image it is difficult for the viewer to tell the gender of the person since their face is not visible in the photo. This could also suggest a struggle with identity and perhaps the position represents them giving up with trying to fit in with everyone else. This has to be my favourite image from Clare Rae’s series because of how unsettling and eerie the photo is. It’s almost as if the person is drained and feels empty inside.