Art & Art History ETDs

Publication Date

4-21-1995

Abstract

From Chapter 1: In the late twentieth century, the struggle over women's reproductive rights informs Barbara Kruger's mural size, 1989 photographic screenprint, Your Body is a Battleground. Possibly appropriated from a post-World War

II women's magazine, the black and white photograph of an attractive woman's face stares out indifferently toward the viewer. The image has been vertically bisected; the left half of her face is rendered as a positive reproduction, whereas the right half is printed as a negative. The visible dot matrix and the overlay of red and white text imitate the structure of editorial layouts in (women's) magazines. This reference to the popular media and the tension created between the two halves also address the struggle and dissatisfaction that women experience within their bodies, often comparing them to the retouched, flawless figures of models in fashion magazines.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Arts

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Department of Art and Art History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Thomas Francis Barrow

Second Committee Member

Wayne Roderic Lazorik

Third Committee Member

Patrick Nagatani

Fourth Committee Member

Lydia Madrid

Fifth Committee Member

Betty Hahn

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