Jo Spence enacting her hospital experience.

How do I begin?

[1984]

1 photograph : colour print ; sheet 51 x 40.5 cm, frame 63.7 x 50.4 cm

Jo Spence (1934 - 1992) started as a commercial photographer, from the 1970s she moved to critical documentary photography. In 1974 she met her long-term collaborator, Terry Dennett, with whom she established the Photography Workshop Ltd. Her work was both politically aware and personal, considering social issues, sexuality, power and health. She worked collaboratively throughout her career, in the 1970s and early 80s with the Hackney Flashers and Polysnappers, and in 1984, she developed Photo-therapy with Rosy Martin. Diagnosed with cancer in 1982 much of her subsequent work reflected her experiences, including the A picture of Health? series (1982-86). In 1990 she was diagnosed with leukemia, and The Final Project work was a response to this. She wrote extensively, and in 1984 published Putting myself in the picture.

Jo Spence. 1984. Jo Spence enacting her hospital experience. [Photograph]. Wellcome Collection 3049453i

Spence, J. (1986) Putting myself in the picture, page 179.

Created in collaboration with Rosy Martin.

This work is untitled. The image was refered to as 'How do I begin?' by the Richard Saltoun gallery.

The photograph was included in 'A picture of health?' project (1982-86).

The photograph was part of a photo therapy session with Rosy Martin, images from which are reproduced in 'Putting myself in the picture' (1986), page 179. This explains it was 'restaging the drama of going into hospital'.

Purchased by Wellcome Collection in 2016 from the Estate of Jo Spence through Richard Saltoun Gallery, London. Richard Saltoun stock code: JOS816.