Cat

2005
Photography, C-Print, 142 x 111 cm (56 x 44 in)
Münster, Germany

Cat portrays a young woman seated on a couch in the privacy of her home, wearing a furry head mask resembling a cat, black high-heeled suede boots, and black lingerie, while reading a pink newspaper. The lingerie and overall look are undeniably erotic, yet the seriousness of her pose and the focused act of reading lend the scene an unexpected neutrality. This contrast between the sensuality of her attire and the quiet, contemplative nature of the reading disrupts the otherwise conventional display.

The background, filled with personal images of youthful friends, childhood memories, and family photos, deepens the complexity of the scene, juxtaposing the cross-dressing with intimate, private moments. Cat explores the playful transition from girlhood to womanhood, moving between the role of playful fantasy and the self-aware reading of one’s identity and position in the world.