La Cage et le son jaune 2022

Sandra Chevrier created 'La Cage et le son jaune' using mixed media to deliver its powerful message. The portrait of a woman is fragmented by images taken from comic books, questioning female identity within the context of contemporary culture. Comic books have long played a complex role in society. They offer narratives of heroism and adventure, but sometimes reinforce unrealistic stereotypes. In Chevrier’s native Canada, and elsewhere, the comics industry has a history of being male-dominated, which raises questions about the representation of women. Here, the juxtaposition of the woman’s delicate features with the dynamic, often hyper-masculine imagery of comics creates tension. Is the woman empowered by the comics, or is she trapped, her identity obscured by cultural expectations? Art history, and art interpretation, more generally, offer a way to explore the social and institutional contexts that shape artistic production. We might ask, how do gender dynamics within the art world influence the creation and reception of such work? A dive into the archives of comics publishers might reveal some answers.