If I told you my name was William B. Duke, would you read (or see) my work differently than if I had another name?
What if my name were Elizabeth? Elizabeth B. Duke.
In the first chapter of the book, “How to be both” by Ali Smith, the main character is asked to consider a hypothetical “moral conundrum” whereby a (hypothetical) artist believes they should be paid more for their work than others producing similar work. The main character (her name is George), in trying to work through this issue eventually asks, ” Is the artist a woman or a man?” and receives in reply, another question: Does it matter?
As I’ve not yet finished the book, I don’t know how things end with George’s ‘hypothetical moral conundrum’, but what I do know, is the questions she (and the book) pose are universal.
Does gender affect, impact or bias our experiences -even now in our ‘enlightened’ modern age?
Take a look at the following two pieces of art, the first by William B. Duke,
This next piece is by Elizabeth B. Duke
Is the original artist a woman or a man? Does it matter?
