Elodie Silberstein on Animality & Humanity in French Late Modern Representations of Black Femininity

Conversations in Atlantic Theory

This discussion is with Dr. Elodie Silberstein (she/her), an artist and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Pace University (New York City, United States). She holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the School of Media, Film and Journalism at Monash University (Naarm/Melbourne, Australia), and a Master of Fine Arts from the University Paul-Valery (Montpellier, France). Her research focuses on the representations of femininity in the visual landscape – from fine art to mass media – as a prism through which to map issues of social justice in a globalized world. She investigates the way these depictions have reflected social, racial, and environmental inequalities at a geopolitical level. Her first monograph examines the evolution of the depictions of black femininity in French visual culture. Drawing on a broad spectrum of archives extending back to the late 18th century – paintings, fashion plates, prints, photographs, and films – Animality and Humanity in French Late Modern Representations of Black Femininity (Routledge) traces the ways a patriarchal imperialism and a global capitalism have paired black women with the realm of nature to justify the exploitation both of people and of ecosystems.

When not scouring flea markets for historical material, Elodie chairs panel discussions and writes for the media on subjects ranging from the portrayal of young femininity in the 19th century European postcard industry to the politics of black femininity in the Barbie Fashionistas. She completed a four-year membership of the Darebin Women’s Advisory Committee which provides guidance to the City of Darebin (Naarm/Melbourne) on gender policies.