What They Saw. Historical Photobooks by Women, 1843-1999

The Reina Sofía Museum is hosting a touring exhibition that highlights the contribution of certain women in the field of photobooks, covering the period from 1843 to 1999 from 23 February to 7 June in its halls at the Nouvel Building, Library and Documentation Centre and Space D.

Curated by Russet Lederman and Olga Yatskevich, this exhibition consists of a publication of the same name and diverse public programmes, which seek to fill in the gaps in the photographic histiography that has paid less attention to work by women. The non-profit organization, 10x10 Photobooks, which promotes the appreciation and understanding of the photobooks, is collaborating in this exhibition.  What They Saw is on display in the Museum’s Library and Documentation Centre, presenting a selection of 60 photobooks of the more than 250 volumes that have been compiled.

Diverse periods and locations are covered through this exhibition with pioneering authors who have been marginalised in the history of the photobook.  Anna Atkins, Isabel Agnes Cowper or Ketaki Sheth are some of these authors. The exhibition also provides space for marginalised authors from queer communities, people of colour and artists from outside Europe and the United States.

The initiative, which looks to new books and dialogues, presents an action that is required to achieve a more equitable and inclusive genealogy in the history of the photobook.

Image Credit:

What They Saw: Historical Photobooks by Women, 1843–1999 (New York, 10×10 Photobooks, 2021), cover image. Graphic Design: Ayumi Higuchi. Photography: Jeff Gutterman