Self/Selfie

In the digital age, selfies — self-taken photos — are ubiquitous. They are the ultimate act of the citizen photographer — a statement saying, “here I am, engaged in life.” Selfies redefine the nature of fame, and can be a powerful tool in expressing personal identity and for autobiographical documentation. The practice of taking selfies has been criticised for being solipsistic and mindlessly conformist. What is the role of the selfie in the 21st century, and what does it say about society?

In Self /Selfie, a selection of artists’ self-portraits have been brought together to highlight the custom of representing oneself in art, the same desire that must underpin this current phenomenon now technology allows everyone to be the artist. Curious and whimsical, the works in Self /Selfie point to today’s growing culture of narcissism and the resulting promotion of conformist behaviour — and equally, the development of the “anti-selfie” on social networks like Instagram.

CREATOR: Fiona Sweet

Ballarat International Foto Biennale Festival and Artistic Director, Fiona Sweet, is a prominent and highly experienced director, art director and creative. Sweet is renowned for inspiring and intelligent delivery of uniquely crafted festivals and arts events. She is an influential and highly sought after speaker, industry judge, photographic portfolio reviewer and assessor in Australia and internationally. She is the recipient of many prestigious design awards and was the director of Sweet Creative (design agency) and a former Board Director of the Australian Graphic Design Association and Melbourne Fringe. She co-founded Melbourne’s Acland Street Projection Festival, launched August 2015.

ARTISTS:

Samuel Barsky
Aleks Danko
Rose Farrell and George Parkin
Elizabeth Gower
Suzanne Heintz
Bruce Keller
Adriana Napolitano
Nusra Latif Qureshi
Julie Rrap
Tomoko Sawada
Cindy Sherman
Christian Thompson
Dawn Woolley
Anne Zahalka