Being and Having

Contemporary artist Catherine Opie documents the ebb and flow of human culture. Opie's photography redefines portraiture, probing the complex questions of who we are, how we present ourselves, and why representation matters.

Catherine Opie is one of the most influential artists of our time, and through her portrait photography she conveys a sense of shared humanity and beauty. At the core of Opie’s work is a persistent exploration of the evolving ideas around community, identity, and belonging, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.

Opie’s wide-ranging portraits include intimate studio shots of friends and figures, capturing moments of vulnerability, pride, and resilience. Alongside these, she creates socially engaged documentary narratives, such as her images from the inauguration of Barack Obama. These photographs work in dialogue with one another to create new narratives, challenging viewers to reflect on the figures most commonly portrayed in art and those who go unseen.

This publication accompanies the exhibition Catherine Opie: To Be Seen at the National Portrait Gallery, developed in close collaboration with the artist. It raises vital questions about representation. Through her meticulously crafted studio portraits and domestic frameworks, Opie invites viewers to reflect on the diversity of identity and the enduring search for community and acceptance.