Local artist and photographer John Rankine was awarded a $7,500 grant for his “Men With Earrings” project from Artists 360, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. The portrait series is of locals who identify as male wearing an assortment of clip-on earrings.
Sitting at Brews on Tuesday afternoon, John and I talked about his inspiration behind the project. The series is a total of 60 portraits and originated when John was living in Key West and found a collection of clip-on earrings. He was fascinated by the response of others while he wore them. The giggles, the smiles, the anger, and the compliments.
In between drinks of rooibos tea, John said he wants his project “…to get people to think twice about what being a man is about.” And the project is about gender and societal norms. The process was the most interesting part for him, taking the photos in the back of Eureka Fine Art Gallery. The combination of close-ups and shirtless models radiates a vulnerability that almost jumps out of the photographs.
John said that it was nice to get the recognition.
“Men With Earrings” will be featured at Brews with an artist reception on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 5 – 8 p.m.