“Entre Nous brings together the photographic works of Claude Cahun (1894-1954) and Clare Rae, presenting a conversation between two performative practices some 70 years apart.” – Entre Nous: Claude Cahun and Clare Rae Exhibition booklet.

The “Entre Nous” exhibition, presented by Clare Rae, featured two photographers and their similar works. Claude Cahun was a surrealist photographer who was based in Paris, France and moved to Jersey during the 1920’s and 40’s. She often depicted identity, challenged stereotypical gender roles, and featured mythology and legends in her works.

Clare Rae is a photographer and former “artist in residence” in Jersey who is from Australia. She is very well-known in her home country, however, with this exhibition, she has started to become  internationally well-known. Clare Rae’s series of work which has been presented exclusively for this exhibition has been heavily influenced and inspired by Claude Cahun’s work.

Claude Cahun “Je tends les bras” & “I am in training don’t kiss me”, respectively.

 

Clare Rae “Bunker near Petit Plemont”

Clare Rae “Le Pinacle”

Clare Rae’s work features many of the same themes which Cahun covers. However, the most obvious theme is the ”Myths & Legends” where rocks would be portrayed as having human body parts. Other obvious similarities include both sets of images being in black and white as well. However, although both in black and white, Rae’s images are sharper and more detailed, this is due to the majority of Cahun’s images being taken in the 1920’s and 30’s, where cameras weren’t as developed.

My favourite image from Rae’s set of images is “Le Pinacle” due to the image being focused on Rae, as shown by her being centred in the image, although most of her body is being obstructed by the rock which is jutting out.

My favourite image from Cahun’s set of images is the image in which she is in her garden. What I like about this image is the splicing of the two images where Cahun is standing, and where she is sitting.