Iris Brosch "SHERE HITE: La Poésie du Féminisme"
Iris Brosch "SHERE HITE: La Poésie du Féminisme" 1992
Archival Pigment Print, Framed
Dimensions: Artwork 21.5x 17.5in, Framed 25x21in
Limited Edition of 10
Signed on Recto, includes certificate of authenticity.
Iris Brosch is a renowned photographer, film director, and performance artist known for her innovative approach to art. Her fashion photography has appeared in top publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Harper's Bazaar, while her work with major brands includes campaigns for Hugo Boss, Pantene, and Tommy Hilfiger. Brosch pioneered "photo performance," blending traditional photo production with audience participation, challenging beauty standards, and celebrating diversity.
In 2005, she presented Divinita: The Birth of the Black Venus at the Venice Biennale, a multimedia performance exploring feminine identity and empowerment. Her later works, such as Erotic Enlightenment (2009), which examined sensuality and self-discovery through a feminist lens, and Women and Nature (2013), exploring the connection between femininity and the natural world, have continued to engage with themes of identity, gender, and the environment. In 2014, Brosch's L'Uomo project examined masculinity and its evolving definitions, offering a counterpoint to her prior explorations of femininity.
In 2017, she created a large-scale photo performance for Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, blending historical context with contemporary social commentary. In 2019, the Center for Hellenic Studies at Harvard University invited her to present Gaia, a performance piece that honored the ancient Greek goddess as a symbol of life, motherhood, and ecological awareness.
Her 2022 film Trilogy: A Warning for the 21st Century premiered at Les Rencontres d'Arles, addressing global issues like climate change and technological overreach. Additionally, her performance Feminism, Faith, and Future was shown at La Chapelle de la Charité, examining spirituality and gender equality.
Through her performances, films, and mentoring, Brosch empowers individuals to challenge norms and embrace authenticity, using art as a tool for social change and personal empowerment.
“This portrait of Shere Hite is a poetic exploration of feminine strength and vulnerability. It is a double exposure, blending a portrait of Shere in a torso nude with the image of the Greek goddess Nike, symbolizing victory. The piece is titled La Poésie du Féminisme.
Shere Hite, renowned for her groundbreaking research on female sexuality, was a true pioneer of the feminist movement. Her work, particularly The Hite Report, which sold over 50 million copies worldwide, democratized the conversation around female sexuality. Originally from the United States, Shere was forced to flee her home due to numerous death threats after the publication of her research.
It was during her time in Paris that I had the privilege of meeting her. Together, we created a vast body of visual work, a dialogue that was both fitting and profound—feminist and scientist—capturing a visual continuation through photography of Shere’s groundbreaking thinking. In these images, I sought to capture the essence of a woman who not only changed the world but also transformed how we think about sexuality. Shere’s spirit is depicted and merged with the image of the Greek goddess Nike, symbolizing triumph.Although society has tried to silence her message, particularly in today’s political climate, Shere Hite’s impact transcends these attempts. Her ideas continue to empower and guide those seeking personal freedom and collective change. Her writings challenge societal norms, urging the next generation to break free from constraints and build a more open and compassionate world. Her work is the key to happiness for our society and the future we are building—female attributes like beauty and poetry are the foundation.” - Iris Brosch
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