Join us at Goldsmiths, Deptford Town Hall, for a day discussing and celebrating the life of Christine Keeler. This symposium is related to the recent Dear Christine exhibition and is dedicated to the memory of Rebecca Fairman, artist and gallery manager of Arthouse1.

Image: Stella Vine, Christine, burn baby, burn (2012)

Featuring music composed by Katie Chatburn for Christine Keeler (Dear Christine for solo cello (2019)), commissioned by Fionn Wilson

The day is scheduled as follows:

ALTHEA GREENAN: introduction to the Dear Christine symposium: 12PM
Althea Greenan of the Goldsmiths Women’s Arts Library introduces the Dear Christine symposium relating to the recent ACE-supported exhibition paying tribute to Christine Keeler (curated by Fionn Wilson).

CAROLINE COON: I AM WHORE: 12PM approx
Introduced by Althea Greenan. A screening of the nine-minute film I AM WHORE, commissioned by Fionn Wilson for the exhibition Dear Christine examining themes including the shaming of women in a misogynist culture that punishes women for displaying sexual behaviour. The Divide and Rule questions asked are: what will we do, in the system of patriarchy, to stop men dividing women against each other the better to rule over us? Who will stand shoulder to shoulder with us whores? Written and performed by Caroline Coon, directed by Charlotte Metcalf and edited by Frederic Irigaray (2019).

ARTIST PANEL TALK: hosted by Anna McNay (with Lucy Cox, Roxana Halls, Sal Jones and Sadie Lee): 12:15–1PM
Four artists contributing to Dear Christine talk about their work for the exhibition, themes explored and how this relates to their own practice and particular interests. Hosted by Anna McNay.

CATHY LOMAX: Christine Keeler on Film: 1–2PM
Christine Keeler is just one of the many real women who have been depicted on film. All too often, salacious aspects of their lives are foregrounded and this overshadows a rounded portrait of who they are. In this talk, Cathy Lomax will look at how Keeler has been portrayed in the films Scandal (1989) and The Keeler Affair (1963) alongside a broader look at images of women on screen and how this connects with Lomax’s art practice. The talk will be illustrated with film clips.

CAROL DYHOUSE: Girl Trouble: Panic and Progress in the History of Young Women: 2–3PM
Carol Dyhouse will look at Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies in a context of moral panic over girlhood in post-war Britain. In what sense were they victims of their times? How far have we come since then?

GUINEVERE CLARK AND GEMMA JUNE HOWELL: Writing to Christine Keeler: Feminism and Patriarchy through the Dear Christine Poetry: 3–4PM
Writers Guinevere Clark and Gemma June Howell discuss their own and other poets’ commissioned poetry written for the Dear Christine exhibition as part of the Swansea leg of the three-venue tour.

AMANDA COE: The Trial of Christine Keeler: 4–5PM
Amanda Coe, writer and executive producer of The Trial Of Christine Keeler, talks about Christine Keeler and the process of creating the recent BBC One drama. Includes a Q&A about the series.

INFORMAL 'MEET THE ARTISTS AND CURATOR': a chance to ask further questions about the project and celebrate the life of Rebecca Fairman (1960–2020). 5–6PM