Kindra Nikole reinterprets historical literary texts by changing the famed medieval knights known typically as male characters to be strong females in her photo series Árísan. The photos draw on figures mentioned throughout the legends of King Arthur, and subverts the gender of those characters to be instead female. The illustrations are simultaneously whimsical and powerful.
The Árísan series transports viewers back to medieval times, highlighting the characters dressed in the garb of knights while riding horses, wielding swords and preparing for battle. The photos capture women portraying the knightly roles of characters such as King Arthur himself, but with distinctive feminine tones. In other words, the gender reversal embraces women as the knights with dresses adorned with metallic plates, headpieces and floral crowns.
The illustrations were shot in Canada to recreate the forested terrain of the Middle Ages.
What's Driving This Trend
- Gender Reversal in Literary Characters
- Opportunity for authors and illustrators to re-imagine traditional male characters as strong female protagonists in literary works.
- Whimsical Power in Photography
- Potential for photographers to create visually captivating images that combine fantasy and strength in their subjects.
- Traditional Themes with Modern Twist
- Chance for artists and designers to take familiar historical themes and add contemporary elements to create unique and thought-provoking visuals.
Who This Affects Most
- Publishing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for publishers to produce and promote books that challenge traditional gender roles in literature.
- Photography
- Disruption in the photography industry by capturing and promoting powerful images that challenge conventional gender norms and roles.
- Art and Design
- Opportunity for artists and designers to create visually striking artwork that pushes boundaries and redefines traditional artistic themes.
