Tracey Moffatt lecture

Overview

There is perhaps only one individual suitably qualified to lecture, in artistic terms, on both the early photographer Alfred Stieglitz and the-artist-who-will-forever-be-known-as Prince. Tracey Moffatt — pop cultural narrative artist extraordinaire, known for her film, photography and video works — fits the role perfectly.

The link that Moffatt draws between these two glittering characters is their ability to make individuals famous, other than themselves. Stieglitz is renowned as an early proponent of photography in his own right, but perhaps more significantly as the key importer of European avant-garde to North America. Similarly, Prince wrote both Purple Rain and Nothing Compares 2 U, managing his own music career alongside those of Chaka Khan, The Bangles and many more.

Moffatt's rare talent is in her ability to create potent and unusual narratives, while remaining cynically disengaged. We can only wait and see what gems she will extract from the exceptionally insightful comparison of these two characters.