noun.
the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, & gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping & interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
Starting out, I wanted to find a sense of what intersectionality meant to my classmates. To do this, I sent out an informal survey asking a few basic questions.
SURVEY RESULTS:
gender identity
race/ethnicity
student year
40% non-binary
40% female
20% male
50% non-Hispanic Caucasian
20% Hispanic/Latinx
20% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
10% East Asian
60% junior
10% sophomore
30% senior
How often does your identity influence your work?
1
3
5
never
always
10%
40%
30%
20%
How often do you represent communities you don't identify with in your work?
1
3
5
never
always
10%
20%
60%
10%
Is there a part of your identity that takes precedence in your work?
60% gender
20% sexuality
10% race
10% my work isn't influenced by my identity at all
How do you see intersectionality contributing to the progress of the art world?
I feel that art that isn’t influenced by ones own identity is not genuine. Anything else is an attempt to recreate or copy someone else’s identity.
I see a lot of “performative” intersectionality made by cishet white people getting a lot of spotlight while projects with intersectionality get sidelined or only be recognized to save face. It’s definitely necessary for those of privilege to know how their identity not only serves them, but disservices others.
*The answers above were selected for their authenticity & varying perspectives.
With so much of art history background focusing on cis, white, male artists, representation matters so much in the art world, which is where we come in as creators; to me, making art for communities we identify with is such a cool way of letting others know about our history, culture, expression, etc. & can act as a great call to action or conversation starter to incite change. intersectionality is vital to the progression of the art world.
I think intersectionality in art is as important as intersectionality in all other aspects —art is a very powerful communication tool, & embracing intersectionality in art & art history can cause change in other aspects of society as well.
Thank you for your participation in the survey, this project is now archived.
