When discussing the history of artistic expression that has been subject to censorship, it is important to acknowledge that one of the most common methods used by queer artists to subvert this control is through the incorporation of subtle political and social commentary into their work. This can be seen throughout various periods of time, from ancient Greece to the modern day, and across a variety of media forms including painting, sculpture, literature, music, theatre, film, and more. One early example comes from Plato's Republic, where he writes about how Socrates compares poets to midwives - both are necessary but must be kept under control for fear of what they might say (Plato, 405a). In the case of queer artists, the censors have often sought to limit what they are allowed to express, which has resulted in the development of strategies that allow them to embed hidden messages within their works.
One such strategy is the use of allegory or symbolism, as was commonly employed by writers during the Middle Ages when homosexuality was considered sinful and punishable by death.
Dante Alighieri's epic poem The Divine Comedy contains numerous references to same-sex relationships, but disguised as stories about other characters or places (Alighieri, 1329). Similarly, Shakespeare's Sonnets are full of love poetry that hints at his own same-sex attractions without explicitly stating them (Shakespeare, 88). By using these types of techniques, queer artists were able to communicate their ideas and feelings without directly violating the laws that governed their artistic expression.
In modern times, censorship remains an issue for queer artists, particularly those who live in countries where homosexuality is still illegal or stigmatized. As a result, many have turned towards metaphorical language and double entendres, playing with words to create layers of meaning beyond the literal text. This can be seen in works like Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, which uses humor to satirize Victorian society's views on gender roles while also subtly referencing the author's own sexuality (Wilde, 15). Other artists have used code words or cryptography to obscure their true intentions, such as Kurt Schwitters' Merzpoem series, where he wrote poems based on secret messages sent between gay men imprisoned during World War II (Schwitters, 47).
Today, queer artists continue to use similar strategies when creating works that challenge societal norms or critique cultural values.
Janelle Monáe's latest album Dirty Computer contains numerous references to LGBTQ+ rights and issues, but disguised within futuristic storylines about androids who must hide their identities from a repressive government (Monáe, 2018). Similarly, Lil Nas X's hit song "Old Town Road" features imagery and lyrics related to queerness, but its music video was censored by some outlets for including sexually suggestive content (Nas, 2019). By using these types of techniques, contemporary queer artists are able to subvert censorship while still communicating important ideas and perspectives.
The history of queer art is one marked by creative responses to social and political restrictions. From allegory to symbolism to metaphorical language and beyond, these strategies allow queer artists to express themselves in ways that may otherwise be forbidden. As long as there is a need to challenge authority and push boundaries, we can expect to see more innovative methods emerge from this community of artists.
What strategies have queer artists historically employed to embed political and social critique within censored works, and how do these strategies inform contemporary artistic practices?
Queer artists throughout history have often felt compelled to employ subversive methods of expression to convey their unique experiences and perspectives. One strategy that has been used is code-switching, where an artist will use language or imagery that is not explicitly queer but has underlying meanings that can be interpreted by those who understand the context. This can include using gender-neutral pronouns or symbols that reference LGBTQ+ identities.