EXHIBIT Closed on August 10th 2014
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Juror: George Awde

Photographs of the strengths and virtues of masculinity coupled with the Achilles' heel of meeting these stereotypes.

Do all men have power? Do all men want power? Is masculinity the same in every culture and time period? Does the performance of masculinity depend on the categories of race, class, and sexuality? The answer to the first three questions is a resounding no, while the answer both to the fourth one is a clear yes. 

Exhibit Calendar (Subject to Change)
Exhibit Opens:	17 July 14
Artists' Reception:	8 August 14 17:00
Exhibit Closes:	10 August 14
XY: Masculinity in Photography Exhibit Catalog now available at PrestoPhoto The Darkroom Gallery Difference

We called for photographs that explore the field of cultural, social, historical, political, psychological, economic, and artistic constructions of masculinity.  What makes something/someone "male"?  These definitions change with communities across the world and throughout history. There is a tense and complex relationship between hegemonic masculinities and subordinate masculinities. Throughout history, men have paid a steep price for not adhering to, or consciously resisting, stereotypical masculine models. Let's remember sex and gender are separate entities.

We want images interrogating these male ideals: photographs of warriors, fathers, of wimps and muscle men. Little boys can be "snakes and snails and puppy dog tails" but they can also love the color pink. Inanimate objects can imply such meanings. In the wake of patriarchal fanfare show us the vulnerability, gentleness and supple subtleties behind what is means to inhibit/exhibit being "male".

Juror's Statement: In my own work I hope to move past expected narratives of masculinity through an exploration of kinship, the passage of time, and citizenship.  My photographs blur the lines between public and private and strive to capture transient spaces that act as an outlet, refuge, and passage. These spaces carry an affective and contingent sense of belonging, inviting the viewer into the most personal and vulnerable of surroundings. Through considering the state and brotherhood the work asks: how do we craft ourselves in an image of “proper” citizens? In this regard, it has been an honor to be asked by Darkroom Gallery to Jury the call for "XY: Masculinity in Photography."  I’ve immensely enjoyed spending time with the submissions and appreciate the opportunity to engaging the works. Thanks to all the artists who participated in the call. George Awde

• All selected entries are exhibited in our gallery and included in a full color exhibit catalog.
• Juror's Choice receives a 30x48" vinyl exhibit banner featuring their image, free entry into a future exhibition, and a free exhibition catalog.
  
• Honorable Mentions receive free exhibition catalogs and free entry in a future exhibition. 
  
• People's Choice gains free entry into a future exhibit.
• We offer free matting and framing of accepted entries for the duration of each of our exhibition, subject to standard sizes. Photographers set their own prices if they wish to sell their work and retain all rights to their photographs.

Juror: George Awde George Awde teaches photography at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and co-director of Marra.tein, a residency and research initiative in Beirut. He received his BFA in painting from Massachusetts College of Art and his MFA in photography from Yale University’s School of Art. His awards include the Aaron Siskind Foundation’s Individual Photographer’s Fellowship, Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Photography Portfolio Competition, Fulbright US Scholar Grant to Egypt, Alice Kimball English Travel Fellowship, and The Richard Benson Scholarship for Excellence in Photography. Awde’s works have been exhibited internationally and published in several international publications and catalogues.