Tracey Emin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Tracey Emin - Essay Example This photograph depicts a naked girl. She is holding the flag of the United Kingdom known as Union Jack with two hands above her head. The photograph shows her from behind. Thus, the flag covers her entire head, shoulders and the most part of the back, but it does not cover the waist, the buttocks and the legs. The girl is shown running away from the camera. The background shows the backside road, the wall on the left and the pavement on the right. There are several elements that should be analyzed in great detail. First of all, it is clear that the most controversial point about the picture is that the subject that is depicted on it is naked. In spite of the fact that this image may not be considered to be pornographic or erotic, it does disturbs the perception of the audience. Keeping in mind that position that I advocated by the author, one might suggest that the fact that the girl is naked reflects the desire of the artist to express her approval of feminism. The next important element which is essential when it comes to analyzing the structure of the photograph is the British flag. There is no doubt in the fact that the artist used this significant symbol of the state deliberately. Thus, it serves two functions. On the one hand, thanks to the use of the flag, the audience knows what country the picture was taken. Indeed, though it is not implied, but the message is primarily directed to the British people and this becomes clear through the use of their flag. On the other hand, the very situation when almost sacred symbol and a naked female body is combined is likely to provoke a considerable amount of controversy as well as criticism which will be expressed by the public. The next interesting point about the picture focuses on the activity which is performed by the main character. Thus, the girl in question is running with the flag above her head.