Travis Pham, Johns Hopkins University
Mixed media 3D sculpture made from clays and wires; 25 x 35 in.
From the artist: This piece draws on the philosophical works of American philosopher Judith Butler, whose theories on gender performativity challenge our contemporary understanding of (fixed) gender identities. An androgynous and dragonfly-like figure attempts to escape from the confinement of Venus flytrap plants growing on its side. The figure’s delicate, insect-like wings suggest both fragility and resilience as it attempts to escape its botanical confines. Inspired by the unique, distorted human sculptures of botanical artist Emil Alzamora, I crafted the floral elements as extensions of the
figure. These overt and imposing details symbolize our never-ending culture war on femininity, identity, and fluidity of gender expression. Through this piece, I aim to question and redefine conventional perceptions of the gender binary.
Further, Butler’s theory asserts that gender is not an inherent truth but rather a set of repeated performances influenced by societal expectations. Emil Alzamora’s surreal sculptures, such as “Self Portrait as a Child with Leaves” and “I Dream a Universe,” greatly influenced my approach to depict Butler’s notion of gender performativity. I also drew inspiration from Elmgreen & Dragset’s “He (Silver)” and Pawel Makuch’s “Forest Troll,” whose interpretations of human forms reveal the tension between self-discovery and societal constraint. Ultimately, through “Flora Mechanica,” I aimed to explore femininity, identity, and gender fluidity through the lens of Judith Butler’s feminist and queer theory. This piece invites viewers to consider one poignant question: Who and what are you beyond the distinguished and demarcated gender binary?