From Models to Artists: Women in Self Portraiture
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 performance, this is art history brought to life with humour, storytelling, and fresh insights into the origins of self-portraiture...
Did you know the first male nude self-portrait was painted in 1496 - but the first female nude self-portrait didn’t appear until 1906, over 400 years later? Or that many pioneering women artists began their journeys as models, assistants, or wives in the studios of famous men - only to break the rules and become trailblazers in their own right?
In this lively, one-man-show-style talk, artist and theatre designer Will Hargreaves uncovers the overlooked stories of women in self-portraiture. Expect fascinating characters, rebellious creativity, and surprising revelations - from artists who weren’t even allowed into life-drawing classes, to those who turned tablecloths, wigs, and resourcefulness into works of art.
Funny, interactive, and a little bit theatrical, this is art history like you’ve never experienced it before: playful, accessible, and packed with stories that shine a light on the hidden heroines of self-portraiture.
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-4pm)
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.
