"Masculinity in Flux"

"Masculinity in Flux" - original artwork by Spekterdog

Acrylic, oil, guoache on canvas (20mm). 24x18".

Description:

The concept of "masculinity in flux" reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of societal expectations and individual expressions of what it means to be a man in the 21st Century. This transformation is driven by multiple interrelated factors, leading to both opportunities and challenges. A significant proportion of men (and some women) are politically and culturally occupied by the challenges, the rise of “incel culture” being one visible manifestation of this.

Loss of masculine identity is cited as a response to attempts by society to politically shift to a culture of equal rights, seeing it rather as a challenge to male hegemony.

The painting draws on the religious image of the three wise men, but depicts them as uncertain, bewildered, clinging on to each other in their struggle to understand and confront the seeming challenges of the modern world.

The painting uses low density, but bold and brightly coloured, acrylic paints traditionally used in what are seen as “male pursuits” such as military modelling/game craft. Splashes of oil paint represent a time where that medium was dominant. Whilst it has found its modern place amidst other mediums, it still has people who vocally reject them in favour of traditional methods.