/Serena McCarthy
@studioxserena
Serena McCarthy
College of the Holy Cross, 2025, Biology and Studio Art
Modern Masculinity
acrylic and oil paint on canvas
40″ x 30″
2021
My works mostly revolve around forms of identity, and in “Modern Masculinity”, I wanted to question the societal expectations for what it means to be “a man”. The black and white faceless figure allows the emphasis of the piece to be on the ballgown rather than the identity of the person who is wearing it. If we can appreciate a dress for its beauty, why should one’s perspective of that change based on the body occupying that space?
Serena McCarthy
College of the Holy Cross, 2025, Biology & Studio Art
Royalty
charcoal and gouache on paper
30.5″ x 42″
2022
This piece sparks a conversation about lgbtq+ representation in traditionally royal portraiture. To create a contrast between old techniques and new representation, I used a traditional material, charcoal, and portrayed a queer couple posed in the likeness of 18th century portraiture.The colors of the background are jewel tones to further allude to the idea of royalty and power.