Laura Jean Healey

Gender Politics

Two-Channel Digital 4K Film Installation

The advertising industry exposes the average person to over 3,000 images daily, but only 8% are consciously acknowledged. This has encouraged brands to employ 'shock' tactics to create memorable content. Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana often idolise sexual assault, while Vogue Italia and Gucci glamorise dead, beaten bodies. Men are depicted as powerful; women are reduced to subservient objects. These images do not directly incite violence against women, but rather normalise harmful attitudes that dehumanise women, paving the way for abuse.

Inspired by high fashion advertising and cinematic visuals, Gender Politics is a filmed two-part performance depicting a man and woman locked in a perpetual cycle for dominance. The performance aims to not only mimic the traditional power dynamics seen in film and advertising, but deconstruct the role of the camera, challenge the established power dynamics in media, and question the man-as-subject, woman-as-object paradigm.

Gender Politics was supported by the Essex County Councils Arts & Cultural Fund and will be exhibited at Firstsite Colchester Spring 2026.

The project was support by:

Essex County Council

Island Studios

Digital Orchard

The (Un)Holy Trinity

Conceived, Directed, & Co-Produced by Laura Jean Healey

Co-Produced by Louise Camish

CAST

The Woman: Cecile Sinclair

The Man: Joel Sheeran