There will be a new exhibition opening in Special Collections and Archives on 28 April.

This exhibition marks the 30th anniversary of Masculinities by Raewyn Connell, a seminal work that reshaped the study of gender and masculinity. Since its first edition in 1995 and its second in 2005, Masculinities has profoundly influenced gender studies, academia, and cultural discourse. The book has been translated into 13 languages and continues to be a cornerstone of Men and Masculinities Studies (MMS).

Through a selection of texts, images, and conceptual art, the exhibition traces Masculinities across three decades: 1995, 2005, and 2025. It highlights the book’s impact on MMS, which emerged in the 1980s in England, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, later expanding globally. Visitors will engage with original editions, critical analyses, and artistic reflections that examine masculinity as a social construct.

Archival materials—including books, articles, and TV interviews—will be presented alongside conceptual art installations, photography, and posters. The exhibition brings to the fore key themes explored in Masculinities, such as hegemonic masculinity, gender hierarchies, and intersections with class, race, and sexuality. Drawing from the book’s rich content, the display engages with topics like the science of masculinity, men’s bodies, the social organization of masculinity, masculinity politics, and historical transformations of masculinity. These themes invite visitors to reflect on how masculinity has been shaped by power, culture, and historical change.

The exhibition encourages interactive engagement, fostering dialogue on masculinity’s societal implications. More than a retrospective, it is an invitation to rethink masculinity through both scholarly and artistic lenses. By celebrating Masculinities, this exhibition reaffirms its lasting significance in global gender discourse, offering a compelling experience for students, researchers, and the public.

Text by exhibition curator, Dr José Loureiro