10.2 Greer Lankton and transgender art
11 min read•august 19, 2024
, a pioneering transgender artist, explored and personal transformation through surrealist-inspired dolls and sculptures. Her work in the 1980s and early 1990s made her a prominent figure in New York City's , challenging societal norms and expectations.
Lankton's art blended and influences with deeply personal symbolism, often reflecting her experiences as a transgender woman. Her use of and in her dolls and installations pushed boundaries, creating a powerful legacy that continues to inspire contemporary transgender artists.
Greer Lankton's life and career
- Greer Lankton was a pioneering transgender artist who explored gender identity, body image, and personal transformation through her surrealist-inspired dolls, sculptures, and installations
- Lankton's life and work were deeply intertwined, with her art serving as a means of and a reflection of her experiences as a transgender woman
- Her career spanned the 1980s and early 1990s, during which time she became a prominent figure in the East Village art scene of New York City
Early life and transition
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- Born in 1958 in Flint, Michigan, Lankton was assigned male at birth and named Greg Lankton
- From a young age, Lankton expressed a strong identification with femininity and a desire to live as a woman
- In her teenage years, Lankton began her gender transition, which included hormone therapy and surgery
- Lankton's family was supportive of her transition, and she later credited her mother's acceptance and encouragement as crucial to her development as an artist
Education and artistic development
- Lankton attended the Art Institute of Chicago, where she studied sculpture and performance art
- During her time at the Art Institute, Lankton began creating the distinctive dolls that would become a hallmark of her artistic practice
- These early dolls were often autobiographical in nature, reflecting Lankton's own experiences with gender dysphoria and her evolving sense of self
- Lankton's education also exposed her to the work of surrealist and Dada artists, which would have a lasting influence on her artistic style and themes
Move to New York City
- In the early 1980s, Lankton moved to New York City, where she became an active participant in the vibrant East Village art scene
- She quickly established herself as a prominent figure in the community, known for her provocative and emotionally charged work
- Lankton's apartment on Avenue B became a gathering place for artists, musicians, and other creative individuals, many of whom became her collaborators and friends
- The move to New York marked a turning point in Lankton's career, as it provided her with a supportive and stimulating environment in which to develop her artistic vision
Lankton's artistic style and themes
- Greer Lankton's art was characterized by a unique blend of surrealism, Dada, and deeply personal symbolism
- Her work often explored themes of gender identity, , and the transformative power of self-expression
- Lankton's artistic style was marked by a raw, unfiltered quality that reflected her commitment to authenticity and emotional honesty
Surrealist and Dada influences
- Lankton drew inspiration from the surrealist movement, which emphasized the power of the unconscious mind and the importance of dream-like imagery
- She incorporated elements of surrealism into her dolls and sculptures, often creating bizarre and unsettling juxtapositions of body parts and found objects
- Lankton was also influenced by the Dada movement, which rejected traditional artistic conventions in favor of absurdity, irrationality, and social commentary
- Her use of unconventional materials and her willingness to challenge societal norms can be seen as a reflection of Dada's anarchic spirit
Exploration of gender identity and body dysmorphia
- Much of Lankton's work centered on her own experiences as a transgender woman and her struggles with body dysmorphia
- Her dolls and sculptures often featured distorted or exaggerated body parts, reflecting her own feelings of discomfort and alienation from her physical form
- Lankton's art served as a means of self-exploration and self-acceptance, allowing her to confront and transform her inner demons
- Through her work, Lankton sought to challenge societal expectations of gender and to assert the validity and beauty of transgender identities
Use of found objects and unconventional materials
- Lankton was known for her use of found objects and unconventional materials in her art
- She often incorporated everyday items such as pill bottles, cigarette butts, and discarded clothing into her dolls and sculptures
- By repurposing these objects, Lankton imbued them with new meaning and symbolism, transforming them into powerful vehicles for self-expression
- Her use of unconventional materials also reflected her rejection of traditional artistic hierarchies and her commitment to a more democratic and accessible form of art-making
Notable works by Lankton
- Throughout her career, Greer Lankton created a wide range of artworks that showcased her unique artistic vision and her commitment to exploring issues of gender, identity, and transformation
- Her oeuvre encompassed dolls, sculptures, installations, photographs, and self-portraits, each of which offered a glimpse into her complex inner world
- Lankton's works were often deeply personal and autobiographical, reflecting her own experiences as a transgender woman and her ongoing process of self-discovery
Dolls and sculptures
- Lankton's dolls and sculptures were perhaps her most iconic and recognizable works
- These pieces often featured distorted or exaggerated body parts, reflecting Lankton's own struggles with body dysmorphia and her desire to challenge societal norms of beauty and gender
- Some of her most famous dolls include "," a life-sized figure with multiple sets of genitalia, and "," a tribute to her supportive aunt who helped her through her transition
- Lankton's sculptures were often constructed from a variety of found objects and unconventional materials, such as wire, fabric, and human hair
Installations and environments
- In addition to her smaller-scale works, Lankton also created immersive installations and environments that invited viewers to enter her surreal and often unsettling world
- One of her most famous installations was "," a room-sized work that featured a central figure surrounded by mirrors, pill bottles, and other personal objects
- Another notable installation was "," which featured a life-sized figure of Christ covered in pill bottles and other medical detritus, commenting on the intersection of religion, medicine, and identity
- These installations often incorporated elements of performance art, with Lankton herself sometimes appearing as a living component of the work
Photography and self-portraiture
- Throughout her career, Lankton used photography and self-portraiture as a means of documenting her own physical and emotional transformations
- Her photographs often featured her own body in various stages of transition, as well as her iconic dolls and sculptures
- In some cases, Lankton would manipulate her photographs through collage or other techniques, creating surreal and disorienting images that challenged traditional notions of
- Her self-portraits served as a powerful assertion of her own identity and agency, as well as a means of confronting societal stigma and discrimination against transgender individuals
Lankton's impact on transgender art
- Greer Lankton's work had a profound impact on the development of and the of transgender experiences in the art world
- Her unapologetic exploration of gender identity and her commitment to self-expression helped to pave the way for future generations of transgender artists
- Lankton's art challenged traditional gender binaries and societal norms, asserting the validity and complexity of transgender identities
Visibility and representation of trans experiences
- Through her art, Lankton brought unprecedented visibility to the experiences and struggles of transgender individuals
- Her work offered a raw and honest portrayal of the challenges and joys of living as a transgender person, at a time when such experiences were largely marginalized or sensationalized in mainstream culture
- By centering her own life and body in her art, Lankton asserted the importance of transgender self-representation and the power of personal narrative
- Her work helped to create a space for transgender voices and perspectives within the art world, paving the way for greater inclusion and diversity
Challenging gender norms and binaries
- Lankton's art consistently challenged and subverted traditional gender norms and binaries
- Her dolls and sculptures often featured ambiguous or fluid gender presentations, blurring the lines between male and female, masculine and feminine
- Through her work, Lankton asserted the complexity and diversity of gender identity, rejecting the notion of fixed or essentialist categories
- Her art invited viewers to question their own assumptions and biases around gender, and to embrace a more expansive and inclusive understanding of human experience
Influence on contemporary transgender artists
- Lankton's pioneering work laid the foundation for a new generation of transgender artists who have continued to explore issues of gender, identity, and representation
- Contemporary artists such as , , and have all cited Lankton as an important influence on their own practices
- These artists have built upon Lankton's legacy by pushing the boundaries of transgender art and activism, and by continuing to assert the power and resilience of transgender communities
- Through their work, they have helped to create a more visible and vibrant transgender art movement, one that honors Lankton's contributions while also forging new paths and possibilities
Lankton's place in queer art history
- Greer Lankton occupies a significant place in the history of queer art, both as a pioneering transgender artist and as a key figure in the East Village art scene of the 1980s and early 1990s
- Her work helped to expand the boundaries of what was considered "queer art," and to assert the importance of transgender perspectives and experiences within the broader LGBTQ+ community
- Lankton's legacy continues to inspire and inform contemporary queer artists, who have built upon her contributions to create new forms of expression and activism
Contributions to East Village art scene
- Lankton was a central figure in the East Village art scene of the 1980s and early 1990s, a period of intense creativity and experimentation in New York City
- She was part of a community of artists, musicians, and writers who were pushing the boundaries of art and culture, and who were often marginalized or overlooked by mainstream institutions
- Lankton's apartment on Avenue B served as a gathering place for many of these artists, who found in her a kindred spirit and a source of inspiration
- Through her art and her presence, Lankton helped to shape the aesthetic and political sensibilities of the East Village scene, and to create a space for queer and transgender voices to be heard
Relationship to other queer artists of the era
- Lankton was part of a broader community of queer artists who were working in New York City during the 1980s and early 1990s
- She was friends and collaborators with many of these artists, including David Wojnarowicz, Nan Goldin, and Peter Hujar
- Like Lankton, these artists were often exploring issues of gender, sexuality, and identity in their work, and were pushing back against the conservatism and homophobia of the Reagan era
- Lankton's work can be seen in dialogue with that of her queer contemporaries, as part of a larger movement to assert the validity and complexity of LGBTQ+ experiences
Legacy and posthumous recognition
- Since her untimely death in 1996, Lankton's work has continued to gain recognition and appreciation within the art world
- Major museums and institutions, such as the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art, have acquired her works for their permanent collections
- In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Lankton's life and art, with several major exhibitions and retrospectives devoted to her work
- Lankton's legacy has also been celebrated by a new generation of queer and transgender artists, who have found in her a powerful source of inspiration and validation
- As the field of transgender art continues to evolve and expand, Lankton's contributions remain a vital and enduring part of its history and future
Transgender art before and after Lankton
- While Greer Lankton is often considered a pioneering figure in transgender art, it is important to situate her work within a broader historical and cultural context
- Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals have been creating art throughout history, often in the face of intense marginalization and oppression
- Lankton's work can be seen as part of a larger continuum of transgender art, one that both draws upon earlier traditions and paves the way for future generations of artists
Historical context of transgender representation in art
- Representations of gender diversity and fluidity can be found in art and culture throughout human history, from ancient mythologies to contemporary popular culture
- However, the modern concept of transgender identity, and the development of a distinct transgender art movement, is a relatively recent phenomenon
- Prior to the 20th century, transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals were often depicted in art as curiosities or objects of fascination, rather than as complex and autonomous subjects
- The rise of sexology and the medicalization of gender in the late 19th and early 20th centuries laid the groundwork for a more politicized and self-aware transgender community, one that would eventually find expression in the arts
Lankton's contemporaries and collaborators
- During her lifetime, Lankton was part of a vibrant community of transgender and gender-nonconforming artists, many of whom were also working in New York City
- Some of her contemporaries and collaborators included Ethyl Eichelberger, a transgender performance artist known for her subversive and irreverent stage shows, and Candy Darling, a transgender actress and Warhol superstar
- Lankton also had close ties to the ballroom culture of the 1980s and early 1990s, which provided a space for transgender and queer people of color to express themselves and build community
- These artists and communities helped to create a context for Lankton's work, and to situate her contributions within a larger movement for transgender visibility and empowerment
Emergence of transgender art as a distinct movement
- In the years since Lankton's death, transgender art has emerged as a distinct and vital movement within contemporary art
- This movement has been fueled by a growing awareness of transgender issues and identities, as well as by the tireless activism and creativity of transgender artists themselves
- Today, transgender art encompasses a wide range of practices and perspectives, from the documentary photography of Amos Mac to the performance art of Cassils
- While Lankton's work remains a touchstone for many of these artists, they have also pushed the boundaries of transgender art in new and exciting directions, exploring issues of race, class, disability, and other intersecting identities
- As the movement continues to evolve and grow, it is clear that transgender art will play an increasingly important role in shaping our cultural and political landscapes, and in asserting the power and resilience of transgender communities
Key Terms to Review (32)
AIDS Crisis: The AIDS Crisis refers to the widespread epidemic of HIV/AIDS that began in the late 20th century, primarily impacting LGBTQ+ communities and marginalized groups. It brought about a profound social and political upheaval, prompting urgent activism and creating a sense of urgency around healthcare, representation, and the arts as forms of resistance and advocacy against stigma and discrimination.
Ambiguity: Ambiguity refers to the quality of being open to multiple interpretations or meanings, often creating uncertainty or confusion. It can manifest in art as a deliberate tactic, allowing artists to challenge viewers' perceptions and expectations, encouraging them to engage more deeply with the work. This fluidity in interpretation is especially significant in discussions of identity, representation, and performance.
Aunt Roz: Aunt Roz is a significant character created by artist Greer Lankton, who is known for her contributions to transgender art. This character embodies Lankton's exploration of gender identity and the complexities of femininity, often serving as a representation of the struggles and experiences faced by transgender individuals. Aunt Roz reflects both personal and broader societal themes, highlighting the nuances of identity, acceptance, and the challenges within the LGBTQ+ community.
Body dysmorphia: Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws or defects in one's appearance, which are often not noticeable to others. This condition can lead to significant emotional distress and impaired functioning, influencing an individual's self-esteem and body image. In the context of transgender art, it reflects the struggles many individuals face regarding their bodies and societal expectations of gender norms.
Cassils: Cassils is a Canadian artist known for their powerful work in transgender body art, often using performance to challenge and explore the concepts of gender identity and representation. Their art is deeply political and intersects with themes of activism, bringing attention to issues faced by the transgender community while also questioning societal norms around bodies and identities. Cassils' work emphasizes the physicality of the body and the transformative nature of gender, making a significant impact in discussions surrounding queer art and activism.
Challenging gender norms: Challenging gender norms refers to the act of questioning and subverting traditional expectations and roles associated with gender identities. This concept is vital in various forms of art, particularly where artists express their experiences and identities that defy conventional definitions of masculinity and femininity. Through artistic expression, individuals can explore the fluidity of gender, highlight inequalities, and create dialogues around identity.
Chris E. Vargas: Chris E. Vargas is a contemporary artist and filmmaker known for exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and race, particularly in relation to transgender experiences. Vargas's work often addresses the intersections of these identities through a lens that incorporates humor and critical engagement, making significant contributions to the discourse surrounding transgender art and representation.
Dada: Dada was an avant-garde art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in Europe, as a reaction to the horrors of World War I. It sought to challenge conventional aesthetics and societal norms through absurdity, irrationality, and anti-art sentiments. Dada's influence can be seen in various forms of art, including performance, collage, and poetry, making it a significant precursor to postmodern art and movements that question identity and gender constructs.
East Village Art Scene: The East Village art scene refers to the vibrant and influential community of artists, galleries, and creative spaces that flourished in New York City's East Village during the late 1970s through the 1980s. This movement was characterized by its embrace of diverse forms of expression, including punk rock music, performance art, and experimental theater, often challenging societal norms and advocating for marginalized voices.
Ecce Homo: Ecce Homo is a Latin phrase meaning 'Behold the Man,' which is traditionally associated with the depiction of Jesus Christ in art, particularly during his passion. This term has been reinterpreted in contemporary art, especially within transgender art, where it is used to explore themes of identity, representation, and the human condition. It emphasizes the idea of visibility and the complexities of being seen, particularly for marginalized groups, such as those within the transgender community.
Found objects: Found objects are everyday items that artists repurpose or incorporate into their artworks, challenging traditional notions of art and value. This concept allows artists to transform mundane materials into unique expressions, often reflecting personal or social narratives. In the context of art, found objects can convey deeper meanings by highlighting issues of identity, culture, and experience, especially in the realm of transgender art.
Gender fluidity: Gender fluidity refers to a gender identity that can change over time or depending on the situation, encompassing a spectrum of identities that may shift between traditional understandings of masculinity and femininity. This concept challenges binary notions of gender, allowing individuals to express themselves in ways that may not fit neatly into male or female categories, often embracing aspects of both or neither.
Gender identity: Gender identity refers to an individual's deeply-felt sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither, and may not necessarily align with the sex assigned at birth. This term encompasses a broad spectrum of identities and expressions, highlighting the complexity of how people understand themselves in relation to gender. It plays a crucial role in artistic expressions and representations, as it can challenge societal norms and offer new perspectives on the human experience.
Gender performativity: Gender performativity is the concept that gender is not a fixed attribute but rather an ongoing performance shaped by social norms and cultural contexts. It suggests that individuals 'perform' their gender through repeated behaviors, expressions, and roles, which reinforces societal expectations around masculinity and femininity.
Gender trouble: Gender trouble refers to the disruption and questioning of traditional gender identities and roles, emphasizing the fluidity of gender beyond binary classifications. This concept challenges societal norms and highlights how gender is performed rather than simply being an inherent characteristic. It connects deeply with feminist and queer theories, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of gender that can intersect with various social identities and forms of expression.
Greer Lankton: Greer Lankton was an influential transgender artist and filmmaker known for her provocative work that explored themes of identity, gender, and the body. Her creations often reflected her own experiences as a transgender woman and challenged societal norms around femininity and beauty. Lankton's art was not just a personal expression but also a commentary on the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Intersectionality: Intersectionality is a framework that examines how various social identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class, intersect and interact to create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage. This concept helps to understand the complexity of social issues and the unique experiences of individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups.
It's all about me, not you: This phrase encapsulates a mindset that prioritizes individual identity and personal experiences over societal expectations or external perceptions. In the context of transgender art, it emphasizes the importance of self-expression and authenticity, allowing artists to challenge traditional narratives around gender and identity. This perspective encourages a celebration of personal truth, often reflecting the complexities and nuances of the transgender experience.
Juliana Huxtable: Juliana Huxtable is a multifaceted artist, performer, and activist known for her contributions to contemporary art, particularly within the context of trans identity and activism. She uses her work to challenge societal norms around gender and sexuality, blending various mediums such as visual art, writing, and performance to explore themes of identity, race, and the body. Huxtable's impact goes beyond her individual artwork as she plays a vital role in the broader movement for trans visibility and rights.
Queer abstraction: Queer abstraction refers to artistic expressions that embrace non-representational forms to convey queer identities and experiences, often challenging normative aesthetics and narratives. This concept enables artists to explore and articulate their identities beyond traditional boundaries, using abstraction as a means to communicate complex emotional and social themes related to sexuality and gender. The fluidity of abstraction resonates with the fluidity of queer identities, allowing for innovative interpretations of cultural, personal, and political dimensions.
Representation: Representation refers to the way in which identities, experiences, and perspectives are depicted and communicated through art, literature, and media. It plays a crucial role in shaping societal understandings of marginalized communities, particularly those related to gender and sexuality, allowing for visibility, validation, and complexity in narratives.
Self-expression: Self-expression is the process of conveying one's thoughts, feelings, and identity through various forms of communication, including art, writing, and performance. It plays a crucial role in personal development and social interaction, allowing individuals to assert their identity and challenge societal norms.
Sissy: The term 'sissy' is often used to describe a boy or man who exhibits traits or behaviors that are considered feminine or non-masculine. This label has historically been utilized as a derogatory term, reinforcing traditional gender norms and expectations, but it has also been reclaimed by some as a means of empowerment and self-identification, particularly within the context of queer culture and art. In exploring its implications, especially in transgender art, the term can reflect the complexities of gender identity and expression.
Stonewall Riots: The Stonewall Riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969. These events are widely considered a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and marked the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, influencing numerous aspects of queer art, activism, and identity.
Surrealism: Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its exploration of the unconscious mind, dreams, and the juxtaposition of unexpected elements. It aimed to challenge rational thought and create a new reality through bizarre and illogical imagery. This movement has significantly influenced various artists and styles, allowing for an expansive interpretation of identity and experience across different cultures and mediums.
The queer art of failure: The queer art of failure refers to an artistic and cultural practice that embraces failure as a means of subverting traditional norms and expectations, particularly around success and productivity. It celebrates vulnerability, loss, and non-conformity, often reflecting on personal and collective experiences within marginalized communities. This perspective challenges dominant narratives and encourages alternative ways of understanding identity, existence, and art-making.
Trans artists: Trans artists are creators who identify as transgender or non-binary, using their art as a means to express their gender identity and experiences. Their work often challenges societal norms and highlights issues surrounding gender, sexuality, and identity, making significant contributions to the discourse on representation and visibility in the art world.
Transcendence: the art of queer identity: Transcendence in the context of queer identity refers to the process of surpassing traditional norms and boundaries related to gender and sexuality, creating new understandings and expressions of identity. This concept emphasizes the transformative potential of art as a medium through which queer individuals can explore and assert their identities, often challenging societal expectations. Through transcendence, queer artists can articulate their unique experiences, offering fresh perspectives that redefine both personal and collective identities.
Transgender art: Transgender art encompasses a diverse range of artistic expressions created by or related to transgender individuals and their experiences. This form of art seeks to challenge societal norms, explore themes of identity, and affirm the validity of transgender lives through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, performance, and digital media. It often addresses issues like gender dysphoria, societal acceptance, and the journey of self-discovery.
Transgressive art: Transgressive art is a form of artistic expression that challenges social norms, conventions, and boundaries, often provoking discomfort and thought through its controversial themes. This type of art aims to push limits, confront societal taboos, and critique established power structures, frequently involving elements of shock or provocation to engage the audience. By embracing themes related to identity, sexuality, and marginalized experiences, transgressive art becomes a powerful tool for social commentary and change.
Unconventional materials: Unconventional materials refer to non-traditional substances used in art-making that challenge the norms of artistic practice. These materials can include everyday objects, found items, or even organic substances that transform the meaning and context of art. In the realm of transgender art, these materials often symbolize personal identity, societal critique, and the fluidity of gender, pushing boundaries and inviting viewers to engage in deeper conversations about identity and expression.
Visibility: Visibility refers to the state of being seen or recognized, particularly in the context of marginalized communities and identities. It plays a crucial role in shaping social narratives, challenging stereotypes, and fostering acceptance, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals whose existences have often been overlooked or misrepresented.