Clare Rae is a photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. Her work is inspired by feminist theory, and presents an alternate and often awkward experience of subjectivity and the female body, usually the artists’ own.

Claude Cahun was an avant-garde queer artist and writer based in Jersey CI. She was a self-portrait photographer and writer, and these photos and texts heavily influenced artists dealing with questions of gender identity.

Our photography group went to the CCA Gallery to look at both artists photos, and I was very impressed. I really loved both artists interpretations in abstract photography.

Top 4 Favourite Claude Cahun photos

Claude Cahun – ‘Self portrait (in cupboard)’

This first photo really stood out to me because of how the girl is placed in the cupboard. She seems to be very squished and uncomfortable, which gives it a eerie and sad look to the photo. I think this photo was taken and executed very well.

Claude Cahun – ‘Self portrait (shaved head, material draped over body)’

This next photo is very different and unique and I really like it.  I really like the contrast of the white wall and the black sheet behind her. Her expression also works well because it is very neutral and black, so it compliments the feel of her clothes and the background.

Claude Cahun – ‘Self portrait – crouched naked in rock pool)’

This photo really stands out to me because she is not afraid to be naked and express herself, which I really like because in those times expressing yourself wasn’t really “normal”. This photo works really well because her expression and stance is very soft compared to the rigid and sharp rocks, it gives a very good contrast.

This last photo was very well executed and captured very well. I really like how she looks at the camera with a blank expression (which she does in most of her photos). I also really love the use of the mirror in this photo.

Top 4 Favourite Clare Rae Photos

This photo works very well because the way she sits in the hole makes her look uncomfortable, but her body seems to maintain a very graceful and soft posture. I really like this photo.

This photo is one of my favourites from Rae. I really like the way she is almost draped across the rocks. The position of her body again looks uncomfortable which works really well.

This photo is a very good interpretation of Cahun’s photo of her in the rock pool. I like this photo better than Cahun’s because she looks like shes in danger or that she’s struggling to get out. This photo was taken very well.

This last photo really stands out to me as it appears that she is in an office. I think this photo is implying the struggles of working in offices that are always busy and packed. The position her body is in is very abstract and contorted, it kind of looks like she is pain. I really like this photo.

Other Photos

I really enjoy both artists photos and how they both interpret this style of taking photos. I think they both take very amazing and unique photos, I hope to try this style and get a similar vibe when I take my own photos.