DAVID BOWIE- (70s)

Some could argue that David Bowie was the pioneer of the ‘androgynous’ subculture. The fact that David Bowie was not a homosexual but still took pride in his appearance conveyed that straight men could ‘groom’ up as well. It also highlights that he was confident in his sexuality that he could express his feminine side.

Representation of Men in the 70s

This was a poster from his single Diamond Dogs.

His facial structure is very feminine in this poster. He achieved this look by contouring his face with different shades of make-up. In the 70s a man wearing so much make up may have been seen as ‘gay’ however it may have encouraged other men to follow in his footsteps.

The colour red is also representative of anger and frustration which reflects Bowie’s rebellion. This could appeal to a subculture, who are also angry at societal restraints. His name being in red could convey that he is rebelling against societal expectations of men and masculinity. He refuses to be defined by his sexuality. This relates to Dyer’s theory of an artist being modelled by society. Intuitions may have created the Bowie image for men who a angered by hiding their feminine side.

Despite his face being feminine and structured his arms and upper body show masculinity. These two contrasting factors represent the new term ‘androgyny’ (best of both).