This talk explores how photography has historically reinforced systems of authority, ownership, and social power while examining how contemporary artist Sophia Giovannitti challenges these structures through conceptual artworks involving contracts, opacity, and participation. It argues that embracing discomfort can help audiences critically rethink artistic labor, representation, and visual culture.

This research investigates how writing shapes success in the Canadian art world. Interviews reveal that artists’ written statements often outweigh their artwork in curatorial decisions, driven by institutional and funding pressures. The study highlights tensions between creativity and bureaucracy, advocating for space where art can exist beyond institutional demands.