Bitter Rose 

Troy Brooks, born in 1972, created "Bitter Rose" in our contemporary moment, and it offers a fascinating commentary on the performance of femininity. Brooks gives us a figure in hyper-feminine garb: pearls, lace, flowers, all in shades of pink. But, a drag affectation destabilizes these visual codes. With her sharp claws, severe stare, and single monocle, the figure critiques the artifice of gender performance. The cigarette smoke, and the heavy curtains give a nod to 19th-century portraiture that aimed to legitimize its sitters. Brooks is challenging the power structures present within the art world while also nodding to the history of portraiture. Researching the artist's statements, tracing gender theory, and decoding fashion history can help us to understand the nuances of the artwork. It becomes clear that the meaning of art relies heavily on cultural context.