Female mole with ovotestis

Oil on canvas, 50x75cm

A female mole needs a lot of power to live life underground. She not only has an extra thumb to dig her way around, but she also has ovotestis and high testosterone levels giving her the strength to dig through the earth or fight off predators if necessary. We humans often view high testosterone as a “masculine” trait; it can mean more hair, bigger muscles, or deeper voices. The idea of “unnaturally” high testosterone shapes who is “allowed” to be female. This is especially true in elite sports, where female athletes’ natural testosterone levels are scrutinised to determine eligibility in women’s categories.

This painting is part of Monkey Business, an exhibition inspired by the diverse expressions of biological sex and sexual behaviour in the animal kingdom.