Visual silence is an important concept within queer art that operates as a powerful tool for political, cultural, and aesthetic critique. In this essay, I will explore how queer artists use visual silence to challenge normative conceptions of gender, sexuality, and identity, while also highlighting the intersectional experiences of marginalized communities.
The term "visual silence" was coined by artist Ellen Gallagher, who uses it to describe her practice of creating work that deliberately omits images of human bodies or faces. Instead, she fills canvases with abstract patterns and shapes that evoke bodily forms without actually depicting them. This strategy allows Gallagher to create a space for viewers to imagine their own interpretations of what they are seeing, while also drawing attention to the ways in which dominant narratives erase and ignore the experiences of people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Visual silence can be found throughout queer art history, from the early work of Robert Mapplethorpe to the contemporary installations of Zanele Muholi.
Mapplethorpe's famous photo series "Black Book" features close-up images of male genitalia, but omits any identifying details such as race or age. This strategy forces viewers to grapple with questions of consent, power dynamics, and objectification, while also revealing the ways in which queer desire has been historically constructed as taboo and dangerous.
Muholi's photographic series "Faces and Phases" documents black lesbian and transgender South Africans during the apartheid era, when homosexuality was criminalized and queer people faced widespread violence and discrimination. By showing only their faces and never their full bodies, Muholi creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that challenges traditional notions of masculinity and femininity. The absence of physical bodies highlights how these individuals were forced to hide their true selves in order to survive, while also celebrating their resilience and strength.
Visual silence is also present in the work of queer artists who use found objects or everyday materials to critique the gender binary.
Artist Hannah Black's installation "Rubber Pencil Drawing (Gender Reassignment)" consists of two pencils attached to rubber bands, evoking the idea of transformation and fluidity. Similarly, sculptor Patricia Cronin's installation "Memorial to a Marriage" depicts two women holding hands, with one woman wearing an outfit made entirely from men's clothing and the other dressed as a man. These works challenge normative ideas about what constitutes "male" and "female," while also questioning the social conventions that dictate gender roles and relationships.
Visual silence can be seen in the work of performance artists such as Gregg Bordowitz and Ron Athey, who use bodily fluids, pain, and rituals to explore themes of mortality, illness, and trauma. In his video "Fear and Trembling," Bordowitz performs a self-induced enema with a needle, drawing attention to the stigma and shame surrounding gay sex and HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, Athey's performances often involve bloodletting, piercing, and self-harm, confronting viewers with visceral images of physical and emotional suffering. By using these tactics, both artists create a sense of urgency and intimacy that challenges mainstream representations of sexuality and health.
Visual silence is an important tool for queer artists who seek to critique dominant narratives, celebrate marginalized experiences, and push boundaries. Through their innovative use of form and subject matter, these artists offer new perspectives on identity, desire, and power, while encouraging viewers to reflect on their own biases and assumptions. By exploring how visual silence operates within queer art history, we can gain a deeper understanding of how art has been used as a means of resistance and liberation.
How does visual silence in queer art operate as a medium of political, cultural, and aesthetic critique?
Visual silence is an intentional act where an artist leaves out important elements in their work for various reasons including but not limited to creating social commentary on political, cultural, or even aesthetic views. In LGBTQ+ art, it can be used to communicate the idea that gender roles are arbitrary and should not be followed; this can be done by depicting characters without clothing or with ambiguous body parts.