Sexualisation of Women in Art

It is obvious that women have been used as nude models more than men have; perhaps because of the male domination in the art world but it should not be assumed that men are prefer to use women as models for fine art portrait photography. So why else would this be the case? Perhaps the female form is considered more beautiful. Maybe the idea that femininity adds a sense of delicateness and subtlety makes for a better photograph. Women have always been sexualised in the media; could it be that art does the same? There is a definite sexual element to some of these images but are they being used as a way to celebrate the female form to admire and revere women rather than to threaten their dignity. Does calling it “art” make it dignified or is it exploitation in disguise?

The Guerrilla Girls are an activist group of feminist artists who challenge the ways in which female artists are treated within institutions of art. They have enlightened people of the sexist and racist discrimination in the art world.
“We’re the disloyal opposition that bangs people over the head and reminds them that art world’s not this great liberal bastion of aesthetic quality, that it’s subject to the same forces as everyone else and every other institution in society.” This is a quote from Guerrilla Girl Käthe Kollwitz and backs up the argument that the art world could indeed be sexualising women just as the media does.
However it could be argued that there is a broader scope of thought in the art world because with media there is an ulterior motive such as advertising companies using sexual imagery to sell products. Also media is always conscious of their audience where as this is not necessarily true with art; the artist is often experimenting with different ways of expressing themselves and doesn’t necessarily have a thought for how their work will be received.


-‘Photography and the Body’ - J. Pultz
-‘Confessions of the Guerrilla Girls’ - The Guerrilla Girls
Image: http://theycallmeal.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/guerrilla.jpg