Cut out: a feminist history of photo collage, montage and assemblage

Abstract

"Cut Out presents the previously untold relationship between photography, feminist art, and collage through the V&A's extensive collection of photography, spanning from the nineteenth century to the present day. Female artists have long employed collage to reflect the ways in which identity is often constructed from conflicting, contrasting, and contradictory parts. Cut Out explores the relationship between photography and feminist collage, foregrounding the use of femmage--a radical reclaiming of craft traditionally associated with women--as a resilient method within feminist and political art. Cut Out presents an expanded definition of collage and cutting techniques to encompass photomontage, assemblage, and the photogram. Tracing a lineage from nineteenth-century makers to contemporary practitioners, this fascinating volume covers Victorian album makers; modernist, surrealist, and Dadaist innovators; and radical, second-wave feminist artists. Thematic sections include profiles written by expert contributors on key individuals, including Hannah Höch, Dora Maar, and Lorna Simpson. Looking to the future as much as the past, Cut Out also reveals how the pioneering work of contemporary and digital artists continues to subvert dominant narratives and foster ever expanding forms of photographic collage. At a moment when photography and its history are being actively contested and reappraised, Cut Out is a reminder of its political power" -- Publisher's website.

Contents

Introduction. Fragmented lives: the origins of femmage / Fiona Rogers -- Femmage: waste not want not / Melissa Meyer in conversation with Maddy Henkin -- Early pioneers. In focus: Lady Filmer / Elizabeth Siegel -- Experimental forms. In focus: Hannah Höch / Matthew Biro -- In focus: Dora Maar / Damarice Amao -- Feminisms. In focus: Grete Stern / Tania Sanabria -- In focus: Lorna Simpson / Alona Pardo -- Reclaiming histories. In focus: Mickalene Thomas / Renée Mussai -- Speculative futures. In focus: Wangechi Mutu / Pelumi Odubanjo -- Homage to SCUMB / Justine Kirland -- Notes -- Further reading -- Author and contributors' biographies -- Acknowledgements -- Picture credits -- Index.