Vanessa Corby

Vanessa Corby is a Professor of the Theory, History, and Practice of Fine Art at the School of the Arts, York St John University. Her research focuses on the intersection of art, politics, and neoliberalism, with particular attention to marginalized experiences through the lens of class, gender, race, and sexuality. She holds a PhD in feminism and art history (2002, University of Leeds) and has taught critical theory and art history for over 20 years, emphasizing inclusive education.

Her work explores materiality in art, including sculpture, drawing, and installation, analyzing how artworks negotiate silenced histories. Key topics include the body politic, migration, trauma, and the visual primacy in contemporary art. She has curated exhibitions, published monographs like Eva Hesse: Longing, Belonging and Displacement, and contributed to journals such as Journal of Visual Studies.

Professional activities include roles in the National Art Education Archive and the Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Alliance. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes learner confidence, rooted in her own experience as a first-generation university student.