Representation and recontextualization of the family institution in contemporary art

There are different opinions for the institution of the family and family structure. While Sigmund Freud and Jaques Lacan have been addressing the family through the psychological and linguistic concepts, Friedrich Engels, Wilhelm Reich, Max Horkheimer have examined the relationship between the family and consumption culture and capitalist ideology. The family has undergone structural transformations throughout the history, its social position and perception has changed. Accordingly, it is possible to mention about the bourgeois, aristocratic, peasant and working-class families. The urban family structure in Turkey has undergone similar changes as well. While representation of the family has been a class representation; today, it has become a criticism intended for the institutionalism of the family. Family perception in society and the arguments in this field has been addressed in varied methods by the artists. Accordingly, it is not possible to deal with the family within a single structure. Family is a variant structure which includes gender roles, power relations and consumption habits. Family representation in art has been constantly reconstructing and discussing through the different ideas and the methods.