Section
4: Reconstructiong History
These three photographs come from a larger series called Signs that say what you want them to say and not signs that say what someone else wants you to say 1992-3. This selection shows the range of responses Wearing elicited from passers-by, whom she selected at random, and asked to write their thoughts on a piece of paper. Wearing challenges social stereotypes and assumptions, and often works in collaboration with members of the public as a means of 'interrupting the logic of photo-documentary and snapshot photography.' Instead of stressing social 'type', Wearing places an emphasis on the individualism of her subjects. She has said 'A great deal of my work is about questioning handed-down truths.'
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work in the Tate Collection