Claude Cahun and Zarita Zevallos

There is clear differences between these photographers and some less obvious similarities. Firstly, all of Claude Cahun’s images are very monochromatic and faded grey tones, where as Zarita Zevallos’ images are extremely bright and colourful. Both photographers are exploring identity and escaping the labels others have given them. Claude Cahun pushes gender boundaries and explores sexual identity by giving herself multiple identities in her images. However, Zarita Zevallos is exploring race and using the barbed wire and the edited image in the bottom left corner to show the men in the images are trying to break free from the stigma that has wrongfully been surrounding black men for years. Claude Cahun created some of the most startlingly original and enigmatic photographic images of the twentieth century, she brought more attention to gender fluidity and sexuality and has been referred to as being ‘years ahead of her time’. Zarita Zevallos, through her hyper-reality portraiture expresses what is going on in a specific community or society in general. Her goal is not only to denounce, educate and create awareness but to incite a movement/change. Both photographers were using their photographs to express their views.