How Women Artists Portray Themselves

Art history reveals how women artists have presented themselves. Explore self-portraits past and present, and the stories they tell. Art history gives us insights into the ways people have understood and represented themselves across time. To complement Jo Torr’s exhibition Self Portrait – The Shape of a Lineage, this talk explores how women artists, past and present, have understood and represented themselves across time through the art of self-portraiture. From intimate and revealing portraits to carefully constructed public images, self-portraiture offers a fascinating way to consider how artists have shaped their own identities through art. The talk will explore a selection of works and the different circumstances in which they were made, providing a broader context for Jo Torr’s exploration of portraiture, family and lineage. Come for the art. Stay for the stories hidden in the dress. Presenter Robyn Peers is an art historian and educator based in Christchurch. She is also closely involved with Ngaio Marsh House, where she devotes much of her time to sharing the history and stories of this important Christchurch heritage site. Robyn has presented a range of engaging talks on the history of art, bringing her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject to audiences in Christchurch and beyond.