Metaphors and Allegory

Metaphor -

1. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.


Allegory -

1. Story with a meaning other than the literal one/ Description of one thing under image of another

After establishing and learning the definitions of Allegory and Metaphor, we applied them to imagery created by Sarah Lucas.

Self portrait with two fried eggs - 1996

"Self portrait with two fried eggs was a photograph I hadn't come across before. I didn’t realise how many metaphors could be included in one image. The first thing we addressed as a group was the fact that she presents herself as a male and occupies that role for the photo by her choice of clothes; and by the way she is sitting. We then began to discuss the idea behind the two fried eggs which represent female breasts in an unusual way. The idea of fried eggs is altered in this instance due to the idea of egg representing new life and now the eggs have been fried there’s no longer life.

The setting of which she’s posed has a meaning in itself enhanced by the vibrant tiles, because of the idea where a "Women’s suppose to be in the kitchen" contrasting against a women’s stereotypical role. Her stance and body language are an interesting aspect of the image as to me its one of the main factors of her stereotyping men. She appears very confident and confrontational.

After studying this image, I have become aware of how much impact "the metaphor" has, and that each aspect has a large contribution to the viewer’s ideas.