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Rebellious Bodies: Art Exhibition Explores Identity
13 Oct
Summary
- Three artists explore identity through self-portraits and ancestral connections.
- Exhibition features Chicana artist Laura Aguilar's early feminist work.
- Indian trans communities and South American feminism are highlighted.
London's Autograph gallery presents 'Our Bodies Have Been Bridges,' a three-part exhibition focusing on rebellious bodies and identity. The show opens with Laura Aguilar's seminal 1996 'Nature Self-Portrait' series, considered early intersectional feminist art. Her nude self-portraits in desert landscapes explore visibility and acceptance. This exhibition marks a homecoming for Aguilar's work, first shown at Autograph in 1997.
The narrative continues with Koyoltzintli, who re-enacts childhood scenes of matriarchy and female care from Ecuador. Her diaristic photography connects to ancestral female knowledge and traditions, including interactions with nature inspired by Aguilar's self-portraits. Tarrah Krajnak contributes archival images from Peru, questioning media portrayals of women's bodies during and after a period of military rule and armed conflict.
Upstairs, Charan Singh's 'Your Tongue in My Mouth' examines desirability and the experiences of Indian trans communities. Singh's portraits blend realism and theatricality, featuring Hijra, Kothi, and trans individuals. These images assert dignity and belonging, especially poignant given legislative changes in India in March 2026 that rolled back protections for gender self-identification. A timeline of transgender history highlights the ongoing struggle for recognition.
