Masquerade: a disguise, a false outward show, identity is obscured, and the individual is unrecognizable.

Muslim women are “masked” by a burqa. As spectators, the individual behind the mask is hidden. The burqa exists due to the historical association of the female body with sin and defilement. The spectator is implicated.

Female burlesque/exotic dancers “masquerade” as a sexual object, perform for the spectator, the male “gaze”. An obvious performance, but empowering to performer or spectator? Subjectivity is addressed.

These works question spectatorship, subjectivity and representation, and their relationship to Performance. Female identity as masquerade, from polarizing perspectives.