An unfinished image

[sqbr]

So, a couple of days ago I made a genderswapped Ronon off Stargate, inspired by swirlygate. Today I did a genderswapped Teyla. You might note I haven't coloured it or anything: this is because, having finished it, I feel rather conflicted and weird about it. (I inked it without fiddling with the costume etc despite the obvious flaws for similar reasons. I realise he looks like a girl :/)

The inspiration for the picture was this image, which I came across while doing SGA fanart prompts and really annoyed me. It's so ridiculous and objectifying! So my intention was to illustrate that by going "See how ridiculous and objectifying this is on a guy!".

But I don't know, it kind of feels like I'm also contributing to the objectification of the actress. It skeeves me out for reasons I can't quite articulate. I could have done one of Teyla's more sensible, less objectifying outfits but then I would lose my original point. I don't know.

Plus of course, it's just not that good :)

Still, my point remains. Compare and contrast with this image of John Shepphard(*), and this of several cast members. I've googled quite a few reference shots of SGA characters for fanart and there definitely seems to a be correlation between being female and/or POC and how much skin is revealed and how deliberately sexified the images are. (Which doesn't stop fangirls from mostly being interested in the two white male leads but that's a whole 'nother subject) Seriously: google-image the names of male Stargate characters and look at the first two pages of results. Teal'c and Ronon are only ones who have topless shots.

nb had to get this out of my head but am pretty low on spoons, may be VERY slow responding to comments. Also I don't want to make it sound like I noticed this all on my own, I've read a lot of narky fan-meta off metafandom etc.

(*)Heh. I could have put him in Teyla's outfit and pose. That might have been better :)

Comments

[velithya]

excuse me I have to save that picture of Sheppard *does so*

Right. I think Teyla might look female in your picture because you have his top go up in the centre against the sternum - given men have mostly flatish sort of chests it might look more masculine to have it just cut straight across?

The thing I notice immediately about the cast shot you linked it that everyone is orange ;)

That photo of Teyla is pretty ridiculous! I am not a fan of the split in her skirt, it goes all the way up to here. :|

[ex_pippin880]

Wouldn't a splits-to-the-hips skirt be one of the more practical skirt for ass-kicking?

I'm not really sure when increased freedom of movement would be cancelled out by increased potential grab/catch/tangle surface area.

[velithya]

Normally, yes! But the split in her skirt isn't up the outside of the thigh, where it would be practical, it's halfway across her leg, meaning if she stands just a little bit differently she might as well not be wearing the skirt at all. I mean, if your are judging practicality for ass-kicking, she might as well just not wear a skirt at all!

[ex_pippin880]

Well hopefully her underclothing is not in teehee mode as well! idk, I don't think that if you specifically chose a four-split rather than a two-split skirt in which to kiss ass you would be horrifically worried about anyone seeing your Hello Replikitty panties.

[sqbr]

Right. I think Teyla might look female in your picture because you have his top go up in the centre against the sternum - given men have mostly flatish sort of chests it might look more masculine to have it just cut straight across?

I had it that way originally and it looked just as bad (well, to my eyes), but thanks for the suggestion. I'm still working on making my men look like Men :)

Yeah, it's not so much a skirt as a set of decorative ribbons :/