Artwork
Self-portrait in Mirror
Self-portrait in Mirror is a photographic photography by Armet Francis. It dates from 1964 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Francis grew up in Jamaica, moved to London at ten, and started as a teen assistant in a West End studio.
Armet Francis made this photo in 1964. He’s behind the camera, looking at himself in a mirror. The camera is a Yashica-Mat LM, a simple mechanical model with a light meter inside.
Francis grew up in Jamaica, moved to London at ten, and started as a teen assistant in a West End studio. This picture shows him setting up the shot, using the mirror to show himself and his world at once.
The scene quietly pushes back on the idea of a divided society at the time.
Look up Francis, Armet.
Overview
Self-portrait in Mirror is a 1964 photograph by Armet Francis, taken with a Yashica-Mat LM camera. It shows the photographer setting up a shot in front of a mirror, capturing both himself and his surroundings.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph offers an intimate glimpse into Francis's world, challenging the notion of a racially divided society prevalent during that era. By depicting himself as a photographer, Francis asserts his presence and profession.
Technique & Style
Francis used a mechanical Yashica-Mat LM camera with an inbuilt light meter, demonstrating his experimentation with the camera as a technical device. The self-portrait showcases his ability to represent himself and his environment through the medium.
History & Provenance
The V&A acquired this photograph as part of the Staying Power project, a collaboration with Black Cultural Archives that explores black British experience from the 1950s to the 1990s. Nine photographs by Francis were acquired through this project.
Context
Armet Francis was born in Jamaica in 1945 and moved to London at the age of ten. He began working as a photographic assistant in his teens, eventually using his camera to explore themes of identity and representation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Armet Francis made a single black-and-white photograph in 1964 titled Self-portrait in Mirror.
