Semester of Graduation

Spring 2026

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art History

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This thesis seeks to analyze the discursive field and technology of photography and its multi-faceted role in the oppression of colonized people under Western imperialism. Among the main collection highlights of many established state-run archival institutions are photographic records consisting of surveillance images, mugshots, and other visual media as representations of the political hegemony that is exerted over governed peoples. From the mid-19th century to 2026, much has shifted in the realm of photography with the introduction of smartphones, accessible technology, and social media platforms during the beginning of the twenty-first century. As states and powerholders apply the technology of photography for control, it becomes more accessible and part of daily life for ordinary people. Historically, photography as a technology was controlled and applied by those in positions of power rather than the commonfolk; as photographic technology became more accessible and easier to use, photography became a part of everyday life. Through this accessibility arises the concept of the living archive, which is what this thesis seeks to explain.

Date

3-27-2026

Committee Chair

William Ma

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

Download

Share

COinS