Self/Archive

This course explores the history, politics, and poetics of self-portraiture through photography, performance, and self-documentation. Through lectures, screenings, discussion, critique, and image-making exercises, students will examine how artists have used the camera as a tool for identity construction, memory, embodiment, resistance, and personal archive-making.

Together, we will study the work of Sally Mann, Carla J. Williams, Paul Mpagi Sapuya, Samuel Fosso, Magdalena Campos-Pons, Widline Cadet, and Francesca Woodman, considering the evolving role of self-portraiture across generations and cultural contexts. Students will also view What Remains: The Life and Work of Sally Mann as part of our discussions surrounding memory, family, landscape, and artistic process.

The course culminates in the creation of an original self-portrait project developed progressively throughout the six weeks. Weekly critique sessions, collaborative discussions, and brainstorming exercises will support students in refining both conceptual and visual approaches. The course concludes with a final critique and presentation.

Materials:

Students are responsible for bringing:

• Cold press bright paper
• Camera (digital or film)
• Must provide your own film if needed
• Shutter release trigger -- depending on your camera of choice or image making method

By the end of this workshop you will be able to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of self-portraiture within contemporary photographic practice.
• Analyze the work of historical and contemporary artists working with self-representation.
• Explore self-documentation as a conceptual and political practice.
• Strengthen visual storytelling and image-making skills.
• Learn to participate in constructive critique and collaborative discussion.
• Produce a cohesive self-portrait project with conceptual and visual clarity.