“Selfies in Art History” is on display at the art library through March 7. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, showcases examples of artists’ self-portraits spanning centuries, including images of Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh, Norman Rockwell and more. In addition, the library is hosting a social media “shelfie” contest in which guests can become a part of the display.
A “shelfie” is a selfie taken while holding your favorite book or standing in front of your favorite library shelf. Once taken, post the “shelfie” to the art library’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages and the images will be printed and displayed in “Selfies in Art History” for the last weeks of the exhibit.
“This exhibit links the phenomenon of contemporary selfies to artist self-portraiture through the years,” said Sarah Carter, director of the art library.
The selfie exhibit was the brainchild of art history major Blake Schreiner, an undergraduate student worker at the library who wanted to demonstrate the concept of how the modern selfie is found in artists’ work throughout history. Schreiner helped curate the showcase, which features images from the library’s rare book room and dozens of other self-portrait examples from well-known artists spanning centuries.
To become a part of the display, all “shelfies” should be posted by Feb. 13. Pictures can be posted to Facebook at www.facebook.com/bridwellartlibrary or tagged on Twitter and Instagram (@bridwellartlib). Shelfies can also be emailed to Carter at sarah.carter.2@louisville.edu.
“Selfies in Art History” is available for viewing from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday, and 1-9 p.m. Sunday through March 7. The Bridwell Art Library is located inside Schneider Hall on the Belknap Campus.
