English photographer Phoebe Jane Barrett focuses on showing the power of human connection and compassion in her photography, and much of her work powerfully portrays the importance of relationships and emotion. In one of Barrett’s projects, she focused on reestablishing the definition of masculinity, and showing the fragility and vulnerability that many men feel, but are forced to hide behind societies definition of masculinity. Phoebes opinions on masculinity contrasts societies more stereotypical beliefs, believing that “The stereotypes around masculinity are damaging to men, women, and society as a whole”. This quote encapsulates Barrett’s belief on the toxicity of stereotypical masculinity towards both men and women, and the way that it negatively impacts society from multiple different angles.

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Phoebe uses a range of male subjects in her work, and places them in what may be classed as more vulnerable and stereotypically “feminine” positions and environments in order to challenge the public’s perception of what masculinity is. These subjects are all men, and yet the way they are displayed and positioned in the images brings a sense of vulnerability and delicacy to the images.

Barrett brings the concept of mental health into her work, and allows for her photography to act as a method of rebellion against firm and outdated social constructs that focus on the unemotional, strong attributes of a man, and ignore the mental health problems that can develop as a result of repressed emotion and an inability to vent frustration and emotional pain without being judged and stereotyped. Barrett makes reference to the disturbingly high suicide rates of men around the world, and focuses on the importance of developing an environment for men to voice their problems and express their vulnerability, without being labelled “weak” or “feminine”.

 Barrett also makes reference to facts and statistics in the context of her work, drawing the concepts and contexts of her imagery into reality, as they are backed up with solid, disturbing fact. Barrett draws attention to the fact that, “Men who have this rigid, fixed idea of what a man is supposed to be are more likely to be depressed and emotionally repressed, suicide rates are higher for men. I think that’s why it’s important to redefine masculinity, so that we can have a healthier notion of what being a man is. Redefine it to include more empathy and compassion, and enable men to be more open emotionally.” Here, Barrett refers to the consequences of societies strict ideals of masculinity, and acknowledges that these ideals severely damage many men and their ability to express genuine emotions.