Opening up the Family Album: An experiential approach, workshop by Rosy Martin

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Martin, Rosy and Reckitt, Helena. 0202. 'Opening up the Family Album: An experiential approach, workshop by Rosy Martin'. In: Opening up the Family Album as part of the 'Auto' programme. Goldsmiths CCA, United Kingdom 3 August and 21 September, 2025. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Official URL: https://www.chase.ac.uk/events-1/opening-up-the-fa...

Abstract or Description

‘Opening up the Family Album: an experiential approach' is a one-day workshop exploring family photographs as the catalyst for investigating forgotten and buried memories, using skills of therapy and co-counselling.

Workshop leader Rosy Martin is an important figure in feminist art and therapeutic circles. Across her practice in art, therapy, and group work she has explored links between photographs, memory, identity, and unconscious processes. In 1983, in collaboration with the late British artist Jo Spence, she initiated the feminist practice of phototherapy, using methods of re-enactment to investigate the psychic and social construction of self.

For this intimate workshop Martin briefly introduces ideas of re-enactment photography and share techniques for using photographs to recall long-forgotten or buried memories. Guiding participants to work in pairs with existing ‘family album’ photographs, Martin leads a process that opens up the absences and silences hidden by nostalgia.

Workshop numbers are limited to ensure intimacy and confidentiality. The Workshop requires a commitment to exploring personal histories: one’s own, the partner one is working with, as well as those of the entire group. Confidentiality, mutual respect, and reciprocal listening are key.

Participants receive Preparatory Notes outlining work to be carried out beforehand on self-examination in relation to personal history and family photographs.

To the Workshop, participants bring a small selection of ‘family album’ photographs that have particular significance for them. ‘Family’ can be family of origin, of adoption, or family of choice – images of significant others and their own childhood. They should also bring an object that represents some aspects of who they are as a means of introducing themselves within the group.

Rosy Martin Bio
Rosy Martin is a London-based artist, psychological-therapist, workshop leader, and writer. Across her art, group work, and therapeutic practice she explores the relationships between photography, memory, identities and unconscious processes. In collaboration with the late Jo Spence, in 1983 she developed the feminist practice of phototherapy, incorporating re-enactments to explore the psychic and social construction of identities within the drama of the everyday. Exhibiting internationally and publishing widely since 1985, Martin investigates issues including gender, sexualities, ageing, class, location, dress, shame, loss, grief and reparation. Her photographic series ‘Transforming the suit: what does a lesbian look like?’ (1987), exhibited as part of ‘Women and Revolt’ (Tate Britain, 2023-2024) revisits historical and contemporary tropes of identity to challenge and play with stereotypical assumptions.

Item Type:

Conference or Workshop Item (Other)

Additional Information:

The Workshop is funded by the CHASE PhD Consortium as part of its training programme, as part of the Feminist Duration Reading Group's 'Auto' programme at Goldsmiths CCA. Following the first Workshop in August 2025, a second Workshop was organised in September in response to strong demand.

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