Sorel Cohen

Canadian, b. 1936

Le Geste Qui Cache, 1990

black and white photograph, painted panel, bronze text

185.5 x 94.5 x 5.5 cm

Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery; Gift of the artist

G-94-278 a-f

Categories:

Photograph, Photography

Le Geste Qui Cache (concealing gesture) addresses issues of gender and identity in the history of art, drawing upon a historical image by American photographer Eadweard Muybridge with that of Sorel Cohen as both artist and subject. In 1887 Muybridge completed his Animal Locomotion series, an exploration of movement in space over a period of time. In this work Sorel Cohen incorporates the photographic Muybridge image with other panels which are intended to draw attention to the woman’s viewpoint. Although each pose is different, in all of the images the woman is covering her body and face with her hands. Cohen’s work has evolved as a critique of the “male gaze” and the representation of women in art history.