The Art of Coming Out: How does being ‘closeted’ impact the work of homosexual artists?

2013 - 2014
Degree dissertation
Writing

For my university dissertation, I explored how the societal and psychological pressures of being ‘closeted’ had impacted the work of four iconic homosexual artists: Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney.

As I was reflecting on my time at university and my journey towards accepting my own sexuality, I became aware the themes of, and the approaches to, own artistic practice reflected my emotional and mental state; particularly as I was using art to express my feelings and to reflect upon my confusion.

Initial research into my dissertation sparked my imagination as I found it was common for the work of homosexual artists to be impacted by their ‘closeted’ experiences. From the abstract queer-coded works by Johns and Rauschenberg, to Warhol’s radical reflections of society and Hockney’s frustrated expressionism; these artists fought to create works in a heteronormative society and, as a result, approached art and expression in radical new ways that anticipated contemporary culture.