The publication of Through Shaded Glass – women and photography in Aotearoa New Zealand 1860-1960 represents a significant milestone in foregrounding the involvement and photographic work of over 190 women makers of photography in Aotearoa prior to 1960.

The book draws on years of primary research locating names, photographs and researching the lives of women photographers. The book explores photographic practise where women have made strong contributions and which have been sidelined or overlooked in this country’s photographic histories to date such as collaborative working practises, photographers and the Second World War, non-binary practises, and the involvement of Māori women in making early photography here.

This illustrated talk will focus on the hidden legacies of women photographers. Of particular focus will be the tension between the lives and work of a selection of photographers working during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Join us online or in person for this event 

About the speaker

Lissa Mitchell is a photographic historian and curator of photography at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. They are the author of Through Shaded Glass - women and photography in Aotearoa New Zealand 1860 to 1960 (Te Papa Press, 2023) and have contributed to numerous publications including An Alternative History of Photography (Prestel, 2022) and Brian Brake – Lens on the World (Te Papa Press, 2010).

When and where

Wednesday 3 April 2024, 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m

Auditorium (Taiwhanga Kauhau), lower ground floor, National Library Building, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington.

There is no need to RSVP for the in-person event but please arrive early to ensure a prompt start.

To attend the live-stream, register on Zoom

The Alexander Turnbull Library will send registered participants a link to access the talk.

These free Public History Talks are a collaboration between Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa The National Library of New Zealand and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

The talks are recorded and you can find them at the Apple store, Spotify and Podbean #newzealandhistory.

Listen to previous public history talks