Abstract:

This project analyzes how visual culture has developed and shaped woman’s identity. Woman’s identity is represented through tattoo images and creations of early 20th century artist, Sailor Jerry. These tattoos were an important component to American military culture during this time period and were popular among servicemen predominantly. His images present woman’s identity in relation to male power dynamics and the objectification of woman as it is discussed by Catherine A. MacKinnon and Laura Mulvey. This project applies theories from their work along with Bracha Ettinger’s commentary on psychoanalysis in order to investigate the depictions of women and the social implications of those depictions on women’s role in society. Unearthing the implications of these messages using the given theories provides more evidence of the connection between theory, image and message in relation to woman’s identity.