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Self Portrait at 17 Years Old
2003
Colour photograph and wooden frame designed and painted by the artist
Dimensions: Frame (forms a part of the work): 115.2 x 92 cm
Reference: ACF0867
Edition: 2/6
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Gillian Wearing’s work explores the multiple “I”s that coexist in us all. ‘Album’ is a series of photographs taken in the style of individual portraits for a family album. Each piece includes the word “self-portrait” in its title because the subject is actually always the artist herself. Heavily made up and wearing a silicone mask and wig, she assumes the identity of various different relatives, with only her eyes hinting at the deception. By mimicking her family members, she got an insight into how she saw their character and was able to explore the influence of her genetic and psychological inheritance.

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