Works by Emma Sarpaniemi are currently on show in “Me, Myself & Us”, a group show at Arendt House in Luxemburg.
Curated by Claire di Felice, the exhibition showcases artists who use the medium of self-portrait as a means of social, political or environmental commentary, including, for instance, Omar Victor Diop, Zanele Muholi and Cristina Nuñez.
Throughout history, self-portraits have been prevalent in every major art movement, from the Italian Renaissance to the postmodern and contemporary periods. Initially associated with questions of identity, the self-portrait has now taken on a new meaning and role as a tool for activism. Featuring primarily female artists, the exhibition has a strong feminist tone.
Emma Sarpaniemi’s work deconstructs the notion of an idealised female body with self-derision and humour. Like the American artist Cindy Sherman, Emma Sarpaniemi uses her self-portraits to redirect the conventional gaze that would objectify a woman’s body, shifting the emphasis onto performance and play.
The exhibition “Me Myself & Us” is open until April 27, 2025.
Read more about the exhibition