self portrait

Theme 1.4 – Hacking the Self Portrait: The Many Selves

In her last post, Maureen, shared that Picasso, “used self-portraits to depict himself in the many different guises, disguises and incarnations of his autobiographical artistic persona” (Art & Artists). This struck me as a powerful paradigm shift. Picasso is shaping his identity, playing with it, and trying on new roles. It is a playful act, one that engages the audience and invites us to put on our own guises. Continue reading “Theme 1.4 – Hacking the Self Portrait: The Many Selves” →

July 16, 2015 1

Theme 1.4 – Self Portrait: Identity in Flux

In our culture, it is common practice to ponder upon the ‘self.’ My people are a self-reflective people, placing value on self-examination and self-awareness. I am a self analyzer, with a strong case of internal editor. Each email I write to a coworker, or photo I post on Facebook is heavy with the burden of capturing my whole self. In college, papers were excruciating to write, each one swollen with the essence of my soul. Do you ache similarly?

Fuck “self.”

Continue reading “Theme 1.4 – Self Portrait: Identity in Flux” →

July 13, 2015 3

Theme 1.4 – Self Portrait: Why do artists make self-portraits?

“Van Gogh painted some 36 self-portraits in the space of only ten years. Perhaps only Rembrandt produced more, and his career spanned decades. For many artists, like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, the self-portrait was a critical exploration of personal realization and aesthetic achievement.” (National Gallery of Art)

Continue reading “Theme 1.4 – Self Portrait: Why do artists make self-portraits?” →

July 13, 2015 5