Priscilla Varner: Emancipating Jane: Challenging Representations of Legal Sex-Workers in Fine Art
Using an interdisciplinary approach, “Emancipating Jane: Challenging Representations of Legal Sex-Workers in Fine Art” expands the dialogue on American legalized prostitution by addressing issues of agency and questions the historic representation of legal sex-workers in fine art. Sex workers are consistently portrayed nude, as an object of consumption, as seen in Manet’s “Olympia,” Degas’ “Waiting for a Client,” and “Precious," a contemporary collection of photographs of brothel workers by Jane Hilton. Priscilla Varner's exhibition explores the power dynamic between the photographer and the subject by removing the photographer, arming the legal sex-worker with the tools necessary to more fully represent her identity. Drawing on the participatory practice of Wendy Ewald and the photographic style of Nan Goldin, “Emancipating Jane,” in part, features a collection of images of sex workers photographed entirely by the sex workers themselves. In an effort to create a more fully realized representation of the culture of legal sex work, this installation of vernacular photographs is accompanied by audio selections from recorded interviews of each of the participating sex workers. Recommended for 18 or older. The exhibition runs April 27-May 8. A reception will be held at 5 p.m. April 30.
Friday, May 8, 2015 at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Jot Travis Building, Student Galleries South
39.5386300785728, -119.816557914018
- Event Type
- Departments
- Pricing
- Website
Recent Activity
No recent activity