Diane Arbus with Francesca Woodman and Robert Mapplethorpe

April 6–October 20, 2019 
 
Highlighting the richness of the ARTIST ROOMS photography collection, which is jointly owned by National Galleries of Scotland and Tate, ARTIST ROOMS Self Evidence: Photographs by Woodman, Arbus and Mapplethorpe celebrates the work of three of the twentieth century’s most influential photographers. With a particular focus on self-portraiture and representation, the show explores the connections and similarities between these three Americans, each of whom produced bodies of work that were revolutionary, groundbreaking, and at times controversial.

 
Drawing from the significant holding of work by Diane Arbus within ARTIST ROOMS, the exhibition includes the artist’s limited-edition portfolio A box of ten photographs (1969–1971), which was selected by Arbus herself and as such can be seen as representing her creative expression and how she wished to be seen as a photographer. Also on view are works by Francesca Woodman, who began exploring self-identity through photography at thirteen years old and continued to experiment and develop her practice in the following decade, until her tragically early death in 1981, and a series of portraits of Robert Mapplethorpe, who explored varying personas for the camera, poignantly documenting his declining health as a result of having contracted AIDS. The exhibition occurs during the thirtieth anniversary of his death.