Talk
Transformation And Self Portraiture: Claude Cahun And Iris Gunnarsdottir
5 Feb 2020
Regular hours
- Wed, 05 Feb
- 18:00 – 19:15
Ivor Crewe Seminar Room
Address
- University of Essex
- Wivenhoe Park
- Colchester
England - CO4 3SQ
- United Kingdom
Writer and curator Dawn Ades will give a talk about the ‘self portraits’ of Claude Cahun, followed by an conversation between artist Iris Gunnarsdottir and critic Matthew Bowman.
About
In 1953 Claude Cahun looked back at her lifetime and observed that, “In my life as a whole, I am what I have always been: ‘surrealiste’. Essentially. At least as far as one can without killing oneself or being put in an asylum”. Dawn Ades will reveal the surrealist context of Cahun’s production, including her close working relationship with Marcel Moore in the making of her now iconic portraits. These can be read as an extension of their life together, blurring the distinction between public and private, life and work, writing and image.
Following Dawn Ades’ talk, artist Iris Gunnarsdottir will be in conversation with critic Matthew Bowman. Together they will expand on themes and ideas raised in Iris’s work – also on display in Art Exchange – that draws inspiration from Claude Cahun.
This evening will end with a drinks reception at Art Exchange – all welcome.
Admission free.
