Anti-Portraiture: Challenging the Limits of the Portrait

The portrait has traditionally been seen as a representation of a human subject, but recent scholarship has challenged this notion and proposed new conceptual models and theories to analyse twenty-first century subjectivity. Anti-Portraiture examines subjectivity through various media and offers a fresh reappraisal of the terms through which this genre is approached, challenging curatorial practices and acquisition policies of museums and galleries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 24 December 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The portrait has long been recognized as a creative depiction of a human subject, serving as a visual or psychological representation of an individual's identity, whether personal, familial, or social. Traditionally associated with the privileged subjects of Western modernity, the portrait has undergone significant transformations in recent years in response to the complex nature of twenty-first century subjectivity. Recent scholarship in the humanities and social sciences has sought to address this complexity by proposing fresh conceptual models and theories to analyze it.

In the book "Anti-Portraiture," a collection of essays edited by [Author], contributors explore subjectivity through various media, including sculpture, photography, and installation. They argue for a broader definition of portraiture, one that encompasses a wider range of artistic expressions and perspectives. By offering a timely reassessment of the terms through which this genre is approached, the chapter authors propose new paradigms for considering selfhood, embodiment, and representation.

Through their insightful contributions, the authors challenge the curatorial practices and acquisition policies of museums and galleries, urging them to embrace a more inclusive and diverse understanding of portraiture. They highlight the importance of recognizing the diverse experiences and perspectives of individuals and communities, and the role that art can play in challenging dominant narratives and promoting social change.

Overall, "Anti-Portraiture" is a thought-provoking and timely work that contributes to the ongoing debate about the nature of portraiture and its role in contemporary society. It encourages us to rethink our assumptions about what constitutes a portrait and to embrace a more expansive and inclusive approach to artistic expression.

Weight: 668g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784534127