This painting focuses on conversion therapy used on queer individuals largely throughout the 20th Century. I’ve been researching how treatment methods were used on queer people, as well as the theoretical connection particular psychiatrists made between homosexuality and mental illness.
In addition to this, I explored how certain historical events had a significant impact on the gay community. I chose to mimic the style of a traditional Renaissance painting but in digital form, mostly because of Renaissance artists’ use of Biblical symbolism and how I could use that to make connections between religion and the medical practices of the 20th century.
Each painting focuses on the lives of those put through conversion therapy, as well as those affected by homophobia and/or stigma around the AIDS epidemic during the 20th Century.
After having lobotomies and other procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy and chemical castrations, many queer individuals were left hollow shells of their past selves, often pushed into nuclear families and forced to live out conventional lives.
I’ve included objects of Christian symbolism in the piece such as a lamb, which is often used to symbolise Christ as well as suffering, sacrifice and forgiveness, The Cross, a symbol of Christianity, a serpent to represent sin and an apple branch used to symbolise the forbidden fruit.