Slow Burn: Women and Photography from Te Papa's Collection
Presentation Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2026 1:31 AM
Description
Slow Burn: Women and Photography from Te Papa’s Collection is an exhibition that will open 26 February 2026 and showcase the contribution to photography made since 1960 by women and non-binary photographers held in the national collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The exhibition follows over 10 years of research in the areas of collection acquisitions and the publication of the book, Through Shaded Glass – Women and Photography in Aotearoa New Zealand 1860 to 1960. The contribution of women to photography in Aotearoa has been consistently concerned with notions of identity, whanau/family, place, and connections across time – themes that are intertwined with the ways women have been able, and unable, to conduct their lives and make photography. While women have contributed in many ways to photographic culture, this selection of works is focused on the use of photography – as archival, documentary, and creative expression – to record and express experiences and challenge the perspectives of audiences. Central too is the question of what legacies first and second wave feminisms have left within photography being made now, as well as the impact of a “historical turn” in contemporary photographic practise to using obsolete analogue photographic processes. This presentation will give an overview of the recently opened exhibition and introduce the work of a selection of work from over 50 photographers featured in the exhibition.
Lissa Mitchell is curator of historical photography at Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, in the capital city of Wellington. As well as their 2023 book Through Shaded Glass: Women and Photography in Aotearoa New Zealand 1860–1960 (Te Papa Press, 2023), they have contributed to several other books: An Alternative History of Photography (Prestel, 2022), New Zealand Art at Te Papa (Te Papa Press, 2018), and Brian Brake: Lens on the World (Te Papa Press, 2010). They are the curator and author of a major exhibition and catalogue publication at Te Papa.
Relational Format
Conference proceeding
Recommended Citation
Mitchell, Lissa, "Slow Burn: Women and Photography from Te Papa's Collection" (2026). Women of Photography: A 24-Hour Conference-a-thon Celebrating International Women’s Day. 3.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/womenofphotography/2026/schedule/3
Slow Burn: Women and Photography from Te Papa's Collection
Slow Burn: Women and Photography from Te Papa’s Collection is an exhibition that will open 26 February 2026 and showcase the contribution to photography made since 1960 by women and non-binary photographers held in the national collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The exhibition follows over 10 years of research in the areas of collection acquisitions and the publication of the book, Through Shaded Glass – Women and Photography in Aotearoa New Zealand 1860 to 1960. The contribution of women to photography in Aotearoa has been consistently concerned with notions of identity, whanau/family, place, and connections across time – themes that are intertwined with the ways women have been able, and unable, to conduct their lives and make photography. While women have contributed in many ways to photographic culture, this selection of works is focused on the use of photography – as archival, documentary, and creative expression – to record and express experiences and challenge the perspectives of audiences. Central too is the question of what legacies first and second wave feminisms have left within photography being made now, as well as the impact of a “historical turn” in contemporary photographic practise to using obsolete analogue photographic processes. This presentation will give an overview of the recently opened exhibition and introduce the work of a selection of work from over 50 photographers featured in the exhibition.
Lissa Mitchell is curator of historical photography at Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, in the capital city of Wellington. As well as their 2023 book Through Shaded Glass: Women and Photography in Aotearoa New Zealand 1860–1960 (Te Papa Press, 2023), they have contributed to several other books: An Alternative History of Photography (Prestel, 2022), New Zealand Art at Te Papa (Te Papa Press, 2018), and Brian Brake: Lens on the World (Te Papa Press, 2010). They are the curator and author of a major exhibition and catalogue publication at Te Papa.