The Cultural Politics of
Gender Performance
Project: Publication Design
Client: Benzi Zhang - An Inquiry into Fe/Male Impersonation
Description & Rationale: A monothematic publication interpreting Zhang’s essay on gender performance and homosexuality in Chinese society. The design explores themes of fluidity, resistance, and cultural tension through bold typography, duotone imagery, and dynamic layouts. By juxtaposing order with disruption - structured grids against layered collages - the publication mirrors the clash between traditional norms and emerging identities.
Key Objectives:
Visualise gender performance as resistance to cultural constraints
Highlight the tension between tradition and modernity in Chinese society
Use expressive typography and imagery to amplify voices of empowerment
Engage readers in reflecting on identity, performance, and cultural politics
