|

Exploring Gender Biases Through Yang Liu’s Pictograms

In her book Man Meets Woman, Chinese artist Yang Liu offers a sharp critique of gender stereotypes. Through a series of insightful pictograms, Liu highlights the cultural tendency to apply a double standard when evaluating attitudes and behaviors based on gender.

Persistent Gender Prejudices

Yang Liu’s work visually unpacks how societal norms continue to impose specific standards linked to gender. For instance, why is a woman with multiple partners often labeled “promiscuous,” while a man who dates frequently is seen as a “seducer”? These stark contrasts, along with 13 others, are powerfully illustrated by the artist, sparking a crucial debate on outdated sexual clichés that remain prevalent today.

1. Perceived Strengths: Gendered Tools

A pictogram showing a woman holding a frying pan as her weapon and a man holding a briefcase

2. The Seducer vs. The Slut

A pictogram comparing how a man who flirts is seen as a 'seducer' while a woman is labeled 'promiscuous'

3. Relationship Expectations

A pictogram illustrating different expectations for men and women in a relationship

4. Competition Dynamics

A pictogram depicting gender differences in competitive scenarios

5. Essential Luggage

A pictogram showing the perceived amount of luggage needed for men versus women

6. Magazine Content for Men vs. Women

A pictogram comparing typical magazine covers for men and women

7. Body Image Self-Perception

A pictogram illustrating how men and women perceive their own body image

8. Interpreting Silence

A pictogram depicting different interpretations when a man or woman is silent

9. Communication Styles: Direct vs. Indirect

A pictogram questioning the stereotype that men communicate more directly than women

10. “Perverted” vs. “Sexy”

A pictogram comparing how similar actions might be labeled 'perverted' for a man and 'sexy' for a woman

11. Recounting Sexual Experiences

A pictogram showing how men and women describe their sexual experiences differently

12. Focus vs. Multitasking

A pictogram illustrating the stereotype of men's focus versus women's multitasking abilities

13. Modern Man vs. Housewife

A pictogram comparing the 'modern independent man' stereotype with the 'housewife' stereotype

14. “Pervert” vs. “Bold”

A pictogram showing how similar behavior is judged as 'perverted' for one gender and 'bold' for another

15. Ideal Partner by Age

A pictogram illustrating the perceived ideal partner for men and women as they age