Reflections and Revelations: Self-Portraiture in the Age of Masters
A performative artist talk with Will Hargreaves, as part of our Staging the Self exhibition at Coda. Dive deeper into Will's exhibition exploring art and identity, whilst also enjoying accessible art history stories, delivered with a playful twist!
Part history lesson, part game of “Where’s Wally?”, this is art history brought to life with humour, storytelling, and fresh insights into the origins of self-portraiture.
Before selfies, artists often found sneaky ways to put themselves into their own work – sometimes hiding in the background of grand scenes, sometimes boldly presenting themselves as masters of their craft. From the first recognisable self-portrait in 1433 to the Renaissance, we'll explore how self-portraiture emerged as both a personal expression and a professional calling card.
In this playful, performative talk, artist and theatre designer Will Hargreaves takes you on a treasure hunt through art history – spotting famous painters hidden in their own canvases, uncovering self-portraits made as commissions or royal gifts, and revealing why artists chose to stage themselves in the ways they did.
About: Staging the Self exhibition
An exhibition exploring art, identity and resourcefulness through the recreation of artist’s selfies through the ages.
Sept 8th – Dec 19th 2025 (Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm)
Free admission
This playful and inspiring exhibition was born during lockdown, when artist and designer Will Hargreaves turned his home into a studio and started restaging iconic portraits with whatever he had to hand. What began as a fun experiment soon became a powerful exploration of art, identity, and creativity.
From ruffs made of lampshades to turbans fashioned from blankets, each piece combines humour with homage. These colourful, theatrical self-portraits show how everyday items can be transformed into something extraordinary - and invite you to do the same.
With Staging the Self, Will encourages us to think differently about art, and invites us to become part of it.
About: Will Hargreaves
Will is a theatre designer with over 30 years of experience creating bold, imaginative productions across the UK and beyond. He’s designed for theatres from the National Theatre to the West End, and brings a passion for storytelling, sustainability and education to everything he does. Currently Course Leader at Arts University Bournemouth, Will is also a trustee of Ecostage and co-editor of the student Theatre Green Book.
