Elaine Yager

Hair is a seemingly innocuous subject, yet underneath the waves of this filament lies a powerful evocative and symbolic significance. Hair color (and the associated skin color), in particular, has cultural and social implications. Certain cultural and social stereotypes and biases are made specifically about people with red or ginger hair, evidenced by the myriad of terms used for them, often used in a degrading manner. This bias is further fueled by Western culture's hair beauty norms, with a distinct slant that blonde and brunette hair tones deserve admiration. The series #themagicreds is an ongoing series exploring red hair and skin color, inviting the viewer to either revel or be revolted by the “imperfections” of red hair and skin.