The exhibition brings to MCLA gallery 51 a reflection and conversation on the gender continuum—exploring cultural and social issues of gender roles, norms and identification.

Because we all deal with issues of gender and sexuality, we hope to show work from a variety of perspectives across and beyond the spectrum. With work that examines masculinity, femininity and gender identifications between and outside of this binary. Numerous artists have used their work to examine, question, confront and criticize the relationships between gender and society.

The construction of gender roles informs a broad and fluid range of identities, such as heterosexuality, lesbianism, homosexuality, transsexuality, intersexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, genderqueer, and being transgender or cisgender, among others, thus becoming an act of freedom, diversity and individual expression. An individual’s identity is comprised of a multitude of intersecting factors, including gender, race, ethnicity, ability, class and orientation. Many people now prefer to use the plural word “identities” emphasizing multiplicity, fluidity and change throughout one’s life. This exhibition turns to the ability of artists to confront the status quo and challenge cultural standards, providing a framework for discussion and change through visual arts.