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Deana Lawson, Nation 2018. Tate. © Deana Lawson.

Deana Lawson

11 rooms in Artist and Society

  • Pacita Abad
  • A view from São Paulo: Abstraction and Society
  • Civil War
  • Deana Lawson
  • Nation Building Between Heaven And Earth
  • Joseph Beuys and Vlassis Caniaris
  • Witnesses
  • Josef Koudelka
  • Farah Al Qasimi
  • Wael Shawky
  • A Year in Art: 2050

Deana Lawson’s photographs invite questions about truth, manipulation and the role of photography in constructing reality

The domestic settings of Lawson’s photographs in this display may suggest they are images of people in their homes. Some are, but many of her portraits are more complex.

Lawson finds her subjects through chance encounters or friends, gravitating towards those who resemble people she grew up around. She then works closely with her models to decide on details of the composition, such as the environment and their pose. The artist carefully stages each scene, sometimes inserting props or rearranging furniture. The distinction between invented and authentic aspects is deliberately blurred.

Lawson uses medium and large format film cameras for many of her pictures. These capture rich textures, colours and shadows. By merging lived experiences and imagined narratives, Lawson depicts her subjects as nuanced and multi-faceted individuals, creating a mirror of everyday lives.

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Natalie Bell Building Level 2 West
Room 4

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Until 16 November 2025

Free

Deana Lawson, Baby Sleep  2009

1/2
artworks in Deana Lawson

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Deana Lawson, Seagulls in Kitchen  2017

2/2
artworks in Deana Lawson

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Art in this room

L04303: Baby Sleep
Deana Lawson Baby Sleep 2009
L04302: Seagulls in Kitchen
Deana Lawson Seagulls in Kitchen 2017
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