Rune Gade

Rune Gade serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Arts and Cultural Studies at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in contemporary art history with emphases on photography, gender theory, and feminist perspectives. His scholarship bridges academic research and public discourse through frequent contributions to major publications and exhibition curation since the late 1990s.

Education:

• M.A. in Art History, University of Aarhus (1995), awarded Gold Medal for thesis on photography theory
• Ph.D. in Art History, University of Aarhus (1999)

Gade's research centers on Danish/international contemporary art, photographic history and theory, performance studies, and feminist art criticism. His current projects examine radical (self-)biography as an art historical genre and Danish art criticism through historical/theoretical lenses. He maintains particular focus on body aesthetics, exhibition analysis, and intersections of visual culture with gender politics, frequently addressing topics like menstrual activism and image pornography.

His recent publications reveal consistent engagement with feminist reinterpretations of art history, critical analysis of photographic practice, and exhibition curation. Gade demonstrates equal facility in peer-reviewed academic venues and public intellectual discourse through newspaper contributions.

Scientific Awards:

• Gold Medal of the University of Aarhus (1995) for M.A. thesis on photography theory

Gade actively participates in academic service through Nordic research networks (Nordic Network of Intimacies Research, The Bodily Turn), editorial boards (Journal of Art History, Øjeblikket 1996-2001), and curatorial projects including the 2001 'Masculinities' exhibition at Nikolaj Contemporary Art Center. His 2024 workshop participation 'Supervising Artistic and Practice-based Research' confirms ongoing mentorship activities despite no specific student names being documented.