Untitled 

This photograph is by the British artist Linder, whose work explores themes of feminism and the representation of women in art and media. Her images often involve collage, juxtaposing images of domesticity and the female body with elements of violence, or sexuality. This creates tension between the expected roles of women in society and their own desires and agency. This approach is evident here, in a contemporary photograph that builds upon the traditions of surrealism. The bright pink flower with a butterfly offers a conventional image of feminine beauty, yet this is disrupted by the large, artificial lips and teeth that seem to be invading the woman’s mouth. The black and white image printed onto the model’s top shows an intimate embrace. By examining the artist's archive we can better understand the institutional and commercial contexts in which Linder operates. It is worth asking if the commercial world can ever act as an ally for feminist expression.