Heroine?.

[1982]

1 photograph : black and white print ; sheet 26.5 x 18 cm

Jo Spence (1934 - 1992) started as a commercial photographer, and in the 1970s she moved to critical documentary photography. In 1974 she met her long-term collaborator, Terry Dennett, with whom she established the Photography Workshop Ltd. Her work was both politically aware and personal, considering social issues, sexuality, power and health. She worked collaboratively throughout her career, in the 1970s and early 80s with the Hackney Flashers and Polysnappers, and in 1984, she developed Photo-therapy with Rosy Martin. Diagnosed with cancer in 1982 much of her subsequent work reflected her experiences, including the A picture of Health? series (1982-86). In 1990 she was diagnosed with leukemia, and The Final Project work was a response to this. She wrote extensively, and in 1984 published Putting myself in the picture.

Jo Spence. 1982. Heroine? [Photograph]. Wellcome Collection 3069404i

Spence, J. (1988). Putting myself in the picture, page 162.

Created in collaboration with Terry Dennett.

This work is untitled. Title taken from paperwork accompanying the purchase of the work, provided by the Richard Saltoun gallery.

The photograph was displayed alongside 'Victim?' in the 'A picture of health?' project (1982-86), the caption used was 'heroine or victim?'. In 'Putting myself in the picture' (page 162) Jo Spence poses the question 'Will I be a heroine or a victim?' in relation to the image and another from the same session.

Purchased by Wellcome Collection in 2016 from the Estate of Jo Spence through Richard Saltoun Gallery, London. Richard Saltoun stock code: JOS920.