Jo Spence: The Feminist Photography of a Cultural Sniper
Jo Spence was a British writer, educator and photographer -- although she was quite ambivalent about being termed an 'artist'. In fact, she much preferred to call herself a 'Cultural Sniper'. But instead of brandishing a gun, Spence used her camera to shoot and expose issues in culture.
One of the first woman photographers to confront the anxiety of seeing oneself in photographs, this HENI Talk explores how Spence targeted the media's representation of women always coded as young, plucked and perfectly made-up by laying her own body on the line.
Time Period:
21st century
Themes:
Dr Patrizia Di Bello is co-director of the History and Theory of Photography Research Centre at Birkbeck, University of London, and Senior Lecturer in the History of Art Department. Her publications include Sculptural Photographs from The Calotype to Digital Technologies (2017), The Photobook from Talbot to Ruscha (2012), edited with Colette Wilson and Shamoon Zamir, and Women's Albums and Photography in Victorian Britain: Ladies, Mothers and Flirts (2007). She serves on the editorial boards of History of Photography, Art History and Photographies.
Watch more
Watch more
14:17
Omar Victor Diop: Black Subjects in the Frame
‘What gets remembered and what doesn’t?’ Mark Sealy examines searing moments in Black history through the lens of Omar Victor Diop’s powerful portraits.
9:21
Under the Gaze: The Art of Cindy Sherman
Hal Foster discusses how the self-portraits of artist Cindy Sherman presaged the selfie culture of our times.
10:58
Maths, Alchemy, Art: The Sculptural Practice of Conrad Shawcross
Discover the mesmerising mathematical phenomenon of moiré in Conrad Shawcross’s monumental works.
14:17
Omar Victor Diop: Black Subjects in the Frame
‘What gets remembered and what doesn’t?’ Mark Sealy examines searing moments in Black history through the lens of Omar Victor Diop’s powerful portraits.
9:21
Under the Gaze: The Art of Cindy Sherman
Hal Foster discusses how the self-portraits of artist Cindy Sherman presaged the selfie culture of our times.
10:58
Maths, Alchemy, Art: The Sculptural Practice of Conrad Shawcross
Discover the mesmerising mathematical phenomenon of moiré in Conrad Shawcross’s monumental works.
8:05
Titian's Diana: Poetry in Paint
Curator Caroline Campbell on the poetic Roman myths behind two of Titian's finest paintings.
1:05:29
The Romance of Bricks
An intimate 65-minute portrait of the artist Liz Finch by filmmaker Nichola Bruce.
25:39
Go Crystal Tears: The Art of Melancholy
A survey into why and how artists have portrayed the melancholic throughout art history, with accompanying lute music.