Jo Spence Memorial Archive Richard Saltoun Gallery, London
Exhibitions
'Jo Spence : from Fairy Tales to Phototherapy | PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE HYMAN COLLECTION,' Arnolfini Bristol, (18th May 2020 - 20th June 2021) (this print)
Double page from unique artist's book. The image on the left appears n 'The History Lesson: Self as Image' titled Self as Image. However, the two images on the right...
The image on the left appears n "The History Lesson: Self as Image" titled Self as Image. However, the two images on the right hand page are not part of the series but as with other spreads in this album emphasise the relationship of this series to Spence's charting of her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Album contains 21 images: 13 gelatin silver prints (including one with four images), 4 photocopied images and one colour print.
This important album provides a previously unrecorded version of Terry Dennett and Jo Spence's seminal series The History Lesson: Self as Image (also known as Remodelling Photo History).
In addition to containing key images from the series, the album marries them to related images. These additional images have the effect of deepening the autobiographical dimension of the series. In so doing, the album, represents one of the very first instances in which Spence foregrounds her breast cancer as a subject. Representing a pivotal moment, this album anticipates the future direction of Spence's work by marrying Remodelling Photo History to her subsequent series Remodelling Medical History and A Picture of Health.