Francesca Woodman

Francesca Woodman created a remarkably original and influential body of photographs during her short life, largely while she was a student at RISD in Providence and in its Rome program. As the daughter of two artists, George and Betty Woodman, she came to RISD able to incorporate a mature personal investigation into tasks designed for the understanding of fundamental photographic principles. At a time when few exhibiting photographers staged imagery for the camera, Woodman fabricated haunting, psychologically charged scenarios. She frequently posed for her own pictures, saying she knew best what she wanted from them. Her photographs are less self-portraits than fictive worlds for her characters, who might appear vulnerable or daring.