Selfies Through the Ages: Performative Artist Talk + Self-Portrait Workshop

Self Portraits Through the Ages... Recreated: A series of performative artist talks and creative workshops at Coda. This series is part of our 'Staging the Self' art exhibition with Will Hargreaves.

For ages 12+

Tickets: £15

Join artist and theatre designer Will Hargreaves for a one-man-show-style talk that brings the stories behind the Staging the Self exhibition to life.

Funny, interactive, and a little bit theatrical, this is no ordinary artist talk. Part performance, part whistle-stop tour through art history, Will takes you on a lively journey through the history of self-portraiture – from Rembrandt to the modern selfie.

He also dives deeper into the making of Staging the Self – sharing how lockdown resourcefulness turned everyday objects into extraordinary artworks, and how the modern ‘selfie’ can be seen in conversation with centuries of self-portraiture.

Expect stories, laughter, and plenty of surprising insights into how artists (and all of us) choose to stage ourselves. By the end of the session, you’ll not only have discovered the hidden histories behind iconic self-portraits, but also fresh ways of thinking about identity, creativity, and the art of the selfie.

(Optional) Creative Workshops:

Now, it's your turn! After the talk, stay on for a hands-on workshop where you can explore the themes of identity and self-expression for yourself. ..

Visual Self-Portrait Workshop with Heidi Steller - Sun 19th October, 3pm-4pm

Get creative and make your own imaginative self-portrait through a mix of drawing, collage and painting with artist Heidi Steller. We invite you to play, experiment, and create a portrait that stages yourself in a whole new light.

For ages 12+Venue: Coda Music & Arts

Tickets: £15

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.