Alterity 2002

Here is Geta Bratescu’s photograph, "Alterity". Bratescu lived and worked under the restrictions of a communist regime in Romania, during which time women artists were often marginalized. Her practice subverts traditional expectations through experimentation with materials and form, reflecting a broader concern with identity and self-representation. In this black and white photograph, Bratescu obscures part of her face with a gloved hand, creating a sense of mystery. Her gaze is both confrontational and vulnerable. The glove, a traditional symbol of femininity, here serves as a mask, questioning the visibility and representation of women, especially within the arts. Bratescu once said, “Art is a form of knowledge”. The photograph encourages us to think about how we perceive ourselves and others, and the subtle ways in which identity can be hidden, revealed, and re-imagined. In this image, Bratescu invites us to consider the complex layers of self, and the social and political forces that shape our understanding of the “other.”