Exuding both stoicism and melancholy, the figure known as Woman With Her Back to the Viewer in Gallery Photos is one of the art world’s most enigmatic personas. In a rare and exclusive interview with Hyperallergic, she opens up, insisting on maintaining her anonymity by keeping her back to the camera during the Zoom interview.
Read our discussion, where she describes herself as a “modern-day Rückenfigur” and shares details of her demanding morning exercise regime, below.
Hyperallergic: What does your typical workday entail?
Woman With Her Back: My day starts with 100 deadlifts and 65 lat pulldowns. Afterward, I head to the office, which could be anywhere I’m needed to stand beside an artwork, as long as they require a woman of average height and ambiguous ethnicity.
H: Who are your inspirations?
WWHBT: Caspar David Friedrich inspires me—I see myself as a modern-day Rückenfigur. Barbara Kruger is another influence. Plus, anyone who can say “Yes, I’m familiar with their work” without flinching.
H: How do you always manage to face away when the camera clicks?
WWHBT: I’ve honed excellent hearing skills. Like a beaver pausing mid-chew to listen for threats.
H: What is the most difficult aspect of your role?
WWHBT: Not receiving commission when artworks sell feels unfair. I’ve stood next to pieces for minutes on end—more than what many Gagosian sales directors do as they send PDFs from yachts.
H: Will the art market ever fairly compensate unseen labor?
WWHBT: I doubt it. I juggle multiple side gigs to get by. Saturdays, I blur myself and walk past artworks. That’s my secret hustle.
H: Critics have described photos of your back as “confrontational” and “the most searing gesture in contemporary portraiture.” Thoughts?
WWHBT: Honestly, I try to leave that all behind me.
This interview is part of our new series, Who’s Behind Those Weird Art World Photos? Next week, don’t miss our exclusive chat with Art Handler Whose Gloved Hands Are Holding the Painting in Every Auction House Press Image.
