Siren

The female gaze works within the reality that women often portray themselves desirably simply because of how deeply societal expectations of beauty have been embedded into culture. Siren draws parallels from a figure that embodies beauty and danger, inviting viewers to navigate the complexities of feminine sexuality and identity. It creates a space for dialogue regarding the female gaze, highlights the results of equality between photographer and model, and is fully indicative of the agency each model possesses. Siren examines the difference between the male gaze and the female gaze and recognizes that the female gaze is less about the final photograph and is instead about collaboration and intent. In this context, Siren allows viewers to participate in a conversation about the thin line that exists between the empowerment and the objectification of the female nude and encourages viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of beauty, identity, and vulnerability, to reckon with the duality of the female gaze, and to consider whether they find photos inherently provocative or solely provocative within the idea of societal norms.