Peck, Nicole (Nikki)

This thesis document seeks to explore and expand on the topic of gender and sexuality through representational figurative drawing. Specifically focusing on the female-identified form in current society, this thesis investigates the plurality of ways in which the gaze, feminist art practices, sexuality, censorship, and historical events have shaped, defined, and conditioned the perception of the female nude in art. By studying and researching the theories behind the gazes, the practice intends to subvert and refuse the masculine gaze, in attempts to place the feminine queer gaze at the forefront of artistic inquiry. Second wave feminist artists and fourth wave, postfeminist disciplines inspired the direction and intentions behind the work produced in the MFA program. This thesis paper provides analytical support to my exploration, uncensored.