Metaphor and Allegory

In todays lecture we learnt about Metaphors and Allegories and their relation to photography.

Metaphor; figure of speech in which term is transferred to something it does 

not literally apply to.

Allegory; i)Story with a meaning other than the literal one

ii)Description of one thing under image of another

Self Portrait With Two Fried Eggs - Sarah Lucas

One of the photos we looked at was 'Self Portrait With Two Fried Eggs' by Sarah Lucas.

The intention for looking at images such as this was to try and apply these definition to the photos and see if we could get a different or more in depth reading into what they're trying to say.

There are 3 things that strike me when first viewing this photo. One of which is obviously the fried eggs positioned on Lucas' breasts. 'Two fried eggs' is a metaphor used to describe a women that is flat chested so this would be one of the obvious metaphors used.

Another thing is the way she is dressed and positioned. This is all suggestive of her masculine appearance, with her slouching and her legs apart, which is a posture we expect and is stereotypical of men. Lucas is fully aware she possesses a look which some would call masculine so positioning herself like this suggests her rejecting this label. The checkered floor is also another aspect within the frame that stands out. It is simular in looks to that of a chess board etc. This may be suggestive that Lucas sees life as being one big game whereby she is trying to reject the stereotypes that are thrown at her and that she has overcome this and is now able to make a joke out of it.

The tate writes about her confrontational self portraits saying:

"Through them she presents an identity which challenges stereotypical representations of gender and sexuality. Posing simultaneously as tough and abject, macho but female, she creates an image of defiant femininity."

When you look into this image more you can completely see this within it.  At a glance we may completely bypass these ideas when really they are right infront of us.

Definitions: Metaphor and Allegorie Powerpoint - MyCourse

Quote and Image: www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/lucas-self-portrait-with-fried-eggs-p78447/text-summary