One shot with Hobbes Ginsberg

There is a certain comfort in working from behind the camera lens and a vulnerability in putting yourself in front of it. It’s something photographer Hobbes Ginsberg experiments with in her work.

Ginsberg is a photographer and filmmaker based in New York City. Her work, with its hyper-saturated colours, intimate framing and candid poses, explores the evolution of self. Her self-portraits offer fascinating glimpses into her world, including the light and dark places. Once called a “shabby, self-taught formalist”, Ginsberg’s client list now includes Vice, Converse, The FADER and more. 

Ahead of her Artist’s Talk with writer Carson Sharpe on February 28, Ginsberg told us about her work, Self Portrait with Table and Flowers – a piece from her series titled STILL ALIVE. 

“This photo is the first in a series of work that would later become STILL ALIVE, a self-portrait project I worked on for two years that ultimately culminated with a solo show and book release on my 25th birthday. I made this portrait shortly after going through a major break-up and being fired from my job. My empty studio apartment, furnished with only a cinder block desk and a mattress on the floor, needed a table. After having spent years watching DIY YouTube videos, I decided to make a table for myself. Through building, I was making a space my own and in that, surrounding myself with a home. These objects became more than just function, making their way into my photos as set pieces. Their inherent stability mirrored the stability I wished to project on myself. This interplay between building furniture and making self-portraits became the foundation for STILL ALIVE, as I continued to explore making a life for myself and how to become an adult.” 

To hear more, join Hobbes Ginsberg for a free Artist’s Talk with writer Cason Sharpe on Friday, February 28 at 7 pm in Jackman Hall. They will explore contemporary photography, portraiture and the subversive potential of the selfie.

Admission to the AGO Collection and all special exhibitions is always free for AGO Members, AGO Annual Pass holders and visitors 25 and under.