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Embracing the unease of being photographed
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Set within the ancient woodland of Abbey Wood in South London, these works by Dianne Minnicucci explore how vulnerability and discomfort in front of the camera can become acts of self-discovery. The artist embraces the unease of being photographed – where to look, how to position the body – and allows these moments of uncertainty to shape her self-portraits. The poetic black-and-white images layer light and fragmentation to draw attention to subtle shifts in body language, inviting us to consider what it means to be truly vulnerable.
These works formed part of a new body of work exhibited at Autograph in Minnicucci’s first solo exhibition, Belonging and Beyond. They were produced during the Visible Practice Residency, a three-year project supporting Artist Teachers from global majority backgrounds in arts education. The residency provides an opportunity to create new work within and beyond the school environment, showcasing the value of Artist Teachers and new approaches to practice in teaching.
Dianne Minnicucci (born 1977, Darlington, UK) is a London-based visual artist exploring the boundaries of documentary storytelling. Rooted autobiographically, her work presents familial moments loaded with intimacy.
She is interested in a sensitive, intuitive approach to documentary style photography, unravelling the tension between the obscuring and unveiling of identity, knowing and unknowing, desire and fear.
Minnicucci studied Fine Art Film and Video at Central St. Martins. She is Head of Photography at Thomas Tallis School in south east London.
These photographs are in Autograph's permanent collection of photography, where they have been conserved and digitised
Autograph exhibited these portraits as part of Minnicucci's first solo exhibition, Belonging and Beyond
Banner images 1-3): Dianne Minnicucci, from the series Belonging and Beyond, 2025. © the artist. Collection of Autograph, London.
About the artist: Courtesy Dianne Minnicucci.
Related: 1-2) Dianne Minnicucci, from the series Belonging and Beyond [detail], 2025. © and courtesy the artist.
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Autograph is a space to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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