This pop-up library, inspired by the 10x10 Photobooks’ publication, What They Saw: Historical Photobooks by Women, 1843-1999, explores the diversity of photographic books created by women. Throughout history, the contributions of women to the field of photography have often been overlooked. This pop-up library showcases a wide-ranging collection of historical and contemporary photobooks authored by women. Many of these have remained unseen or under-recognised, making this collection a valuable resource for anyone seeking to expand their understanding and appreciation of the diverse perspectives and approaches that have been brought to the art of photography by women throughout history.
This event will be at the Bodleian Library on 15 April 2023, the opening day of Photo Oxford Festival. You will also have the chance to visit the Bodleian Library’s rare-books room and view books from their collection (booking recommended.) The pop-up library will then move to the upper gallery at The Old Fire Station from 25 - 29 April.
The special rare-books exhibit is a valuable opportunity to experience some of the most significant works of women photographers throughout history. The pop-up library with the “touchable books” is a welcoming, hands-on event; you will be able to sit and browse the books.
Rare Books room - provisional final list
Margaret Bourke-White, Eyes on Russia
Diane Arbus, An Aperture Monograph
Dorothea Lang, An American Exodus
Helen Levitt, A Way of Seeing
Leni Rifenstahl, Schonheit im Olympischen Kampf
Germaine Krull, 100x Paris
Ellen Thorbecke, People in China
Claudia Andujar, A Week in Bico’s World: Brazil
Marketa Luskacova, On Death and Horses and Other People
Del Largrace Bolcano and Judith "Jack" Halberstam, The Drag King Book
Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, Byker
Clare Strand, Girl Plays with Snake
Graciela Iturbide, Avandaro
Haein Ong, Light/Folds
Veronika Schapers, First You Have to Prove it to Me
Julia Margaret Cameron, Alfred Tennyson’s Idylls of the King and Other Poems
pop-up library
The “touchable books” pop-up library will have more than 30 books including Lee Miller Wrens in Camera, Sophie Calle l’Hotel, JEB Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians, Petra Kroon Silenced Womb, Amak Mahmoodian Zanjir, Julia Margaret Cameron Victorian Photographs of Famous Men and Fair Women, Hedda Morrison A Photographer in Old Peking. The pop-up library is a mix of first and later editions and modern reprints.
The Women and the Photobook rare-books room and pop-up library have been curated by Philippa James, Emma Davies and Rolf Kraehenbuehl and will continue to tour photography and women’s events. Contact us for more details.
This event is supported by 10×10 Photobooks, Photo Oxford Festival and A Year with my Camera.