The "self" and our identity is a topic often explored by artists. I think of my own experiences throughout my life and find my "self" changing - sometimes in a peaceful slow manner, sometimes in a quick forced way.
The National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. is showing an exhibition of contemporary U.S. Latino artists who question our identities through photography, collage, and paintings. The exhibition is called "Staging the Self" and is on display until April 2015.
One of the artists, Maria Martinez-Canas, looks at how environment shapes who we are. This is a topic close to me as I grew up in Prague, Czech Republic, but have lived in the US for the past 12 years, and understand the crucial importance of our environment on our identity and values. Martinez-Canas focuses on her family, in particular, her father. In layering a photo of herself and her father and playing with transparency, we see the intricate relationship between family members - not only through physical resemblance but also through beliefs and attitudes.
The National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. is showing an exhibition of contemporary U.S. Latino artists who question our identities through photography, collage, and paintings. The exhibition is called "Staging the Self" and is on display until April 2015.
One of the artists, Maria Martinez-Canas, looks at how environment shapes who we are. This is a topic close to me as I grew up in Prague, Czech Republic, but have lived in the US for the past 12 years, and understand the crucial importance of our environment on our identity and values. Martinez-Canas focuses on her family, in particular, her father. In layering a photo of herself and her father and playing with transparency, we see the intricate relationship between family members - not only through physical resemblance but also through beliefs and attitudes.
Duplicity as Identity: 50%
Archival pigment print on canvas, mounted on aluminum, 2008–9
Cricket Taplin Collection
© María Martínez-Cañas
Archival pigment print on canvas, mounted on aluminum, 2008–9
Cricket Taplin Collection
© María Martínez-Cañas
Rachelle Mozman uses staged photographs of herself in various roles to highlight our family relationships and social hierarchies. In some photographs, she is the grandmother, mother, and daughter. In others, she is both a cleaning lady and a wealthy woman. Again, I do find this topic of great importance as our perceived and lived social hierarchies greatly affect our identity.
El Espejo
C-Print, 2010
Courtesy of the artist
© Rachelle Mozman
C-Print, 2010
Courtesy of the artist
© Rachelle Mozman
There are other interesting topics brought up at this show so if you are in town, check it out!