Broadcast Lago


Past Exhibitions | Present Exhibition | Future Exhibitions | About | Contact | Press

Past Exhibition at Broadcast Gallery

Body / Builder
Rebecca Andrews

April 7-9, 2011

Curated by Alistair Farmer, Amy Bindon, Brian Cregan, Caroline McNally, Emma Ray, Joseph Carr, Katie O'Neill, Lyndsey Putt, Steph Gallagher, Steven Maybury.

image of Body Builder Rebecca Andrews

Rebecca Andrews is a female bodybuilder and is currently preparing for competition. Andrews' art practice has involved an extension of this interest and she has been undertaking a long-term project of visual research though the use of photography and video documentation that captures the stance of the female bodybuilder and female figure competitors at bodybuilding competitions. Body/Builder features selected photographs of Rene Campbell rather than the photographer. They were shot in studio giving Andrews greater control over the display and representation of Campbell's competition-ready figure.

At present, Andrews is training to lower her own body-fat levels to push the appearance of her body toward the hyper-feminized/masculinised look that defines a successful transition to competition readiness. On stage, competitors' physiques reach the pinnacle of their physical athleticism to create a new technological-self, through the containment of nature and idealised reconstruction of the female body.

Andrews is currently studying for her MA in Artist's Film, Video and Photography at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Maidstone. Before commencing her MA, Rebecca studied for a BA in Graphic Design as well as completing a BA in Photography. Previous work has included life size prints of bodybuilders exhibited at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London.

Reference Library & Catalogue A selected library of books will be accessible in the gallery during the exhibition, reflecting the curatorial dialogue that led to the exhibition. A catalogue with new essays about Rebecca Andrews' photography accompanies the exhibition and is free to take away.

Screenings Two opportunities to see Pumping Iron (85 mins, 1977) Dir. George Butler. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger & Lou Ferrigno: Wed 6 Apr, 5pm, DIT Photography, 31 East Essex St., Temple Bar, D2 and Sat 9 Apr, 1pm, DIT Art, Design and Printing, Portland Row, D1.

The curators would like to specially thank Rebecca Andrews for her trust and interest in the process leading up to the selection, printing and presentation of her work in Dublin. We would also like to thank the DIT staff who have supported this collaboration: Valerie Connor, Geoff White, Mandy O'Neill, and Ann Donohoe (Temple Bar); Amy Walsh, Brian Fay and the Broadcast Gallery Committee (Portland Row) and the wider DIT community across the Schools of Media and Art, Design & Printing.