Saatchi gallery to explore the idea of selfies as art

From Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Tracey Emin to Benedict Cumberbatch's Academy Awards photobomb

Obama and Cameron pose for a selfie taken by Denmark’s then prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, during the memorial service of Nelson Mandela on 10 December 2013 (Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)

Art has now become a medium of infinite possibilities it seems, far past the paintbrush and canvas - now livestreams, live performance, and even selfies have the ability to name themselves as art.

That's partially due to the fact 'art' in itself is such a vague term, meaning there's always space to challenge and re-interpret the term under new lights.

Which is exactly what the Saatchi gallery intends to do, re-claiming the idea of the 'selfie' from the hands of narcissism and presenting it as an integral, and long-practised form of self expression.

Opening in March, The Guardian reports the new exhibition Selfie to Self-Expression will expand the notion of the word to include self portraiture from the likes of Vincent van Gogh, Tracey Emin, Rembrandt, Velazquez, June Calypso and Kutluğ Ataman.

Famous works will sit alongside more traditional examples of the 'selfie'; from one taken with Barack Obama and David Cameron, to the famous moment Benedict Cumberbatch photobombed a press shot at the Academy Awards.

Nigel Hurst, chief executive officer at the gallery, stated: "In many ways, the selfie represents the epitome of contemporary culture’s transition into a highly digitalised and technologically advanced age as mobile phone technology has caught up with the camera. The exhibition will present a compelling insight into the history and creative potential of the selfie."

Saatchi is collaborating with Huawei on the project to commission 10 young British photographers to create their own pieces, alongside launching the #SaatchiSelfie competition, asking people to submit their own selfies for a chance to be featured in the exhibition.

From Selfie to Self-Expression runs 31 March-30 May and the competition runs 23 January-19 March. More information can be found here.