Perhaps now more than ever, the so-called ‘male experience’ is being interrogated and rethought. What does it mean to identify as a man? More pressing still, how exactly should we understand masculinity—as a set of characteristics and behaviours—and who can claim ownership of it?

As binaries are broken and gender roles are blurred, the once very fixed position of masculinity has been dislodged. In issue 38, we speak with five artists who are shaking off the restraints of this way of being and suggesting new possibilities. For our research essay, Arwa Haider plunders her years of experience as a music journalist to question the role of masculinity in the music industry, and speaks with the new generation who are redefining the landscape.

We also feature Encounters with Ai Weiwei, Tracey Emin, Eva Vermandel, Yinka Shonibare and William Monk, and meet the New Establishment, speaking with two young painters, Oli Epp and Ben Sledsens.

In our Paper Galleries we see the lone man—slick, serene and occasionally engaged in risky business—through the eyes of Anthony Iacono, and feature the dreamy photographs of Mayumi Hosokura. In Journal we explore the sense of community forged by gay magazines, and hear from art critic Anna McNay about the experience of “sitting” for both a photographer and a painter.

Perhaps now more than ever, the so-called ‘male experience’ is being interrogated and rethought. What does it mean to identify as a man? More pressing still, how exactly should we understand masculinity—as a set of characteristics and behaviours—and who can claim ownership of it?

As binaries are broken and gender roles are blurred, the once very fixed position of masculinity has been dislodged. In issue 38, we speak with five artists who are shaking off the restraints of this way of being and suggesting new possibilities. For our research essay, Arwa Haider plunders her years of experience as a music journalist to question the role of masculinity in the music industry, and speaks with the new generation who are redefining the landscape.

We also feature Encounters with Ai Weiwei, Tracey Emin, Eva Vermandel, Yinka Shonibare and William Monk, and meet the New Establishment, speaking with two young painters, Oli Epp and Ben Sledsens.

In our Paper Galleries we see the lone man—slick, serene and occasionally engaged in risky business—through the eyes of Anthony Iacono, and feature the dreamy photographs of Mayumi Hosokura. In Journal we explore the sense of community forged by gay magazines, and hear from art critic Anna McNay about the experience of “sitting” for both a photographer and a painter.