GYMNASTS 

Gymnasts was created within the Physical Education installation at Mana Contemporary. Each female gymnast completes a series of accent gestures remaining after removing the actual gymnastic stunts from their routines. Exploring what may be perceived as an unintentional queering of feminine identity within a rigidly heterosexual culture, Gymnasts highlights the athletes' combination of high femme appearance, fierce individualist athletic prowess, and affects of team work. This “queering,” or subtle disruption, is found in the contrast between gymnasts' bodies (masculine in form: narrow hips, broad shoulders, highly developed musculature), and their feminine presentation (make up, pony tails, bows).