The Women Festival was in celebration of the achievements made by women within a variety of industries. I feel it to be important to remember that although we have come a long way from our overly misogynistic ancestry, sexism and inequality are still present. Not only throughout the world, but in this country (no matter how developed we like to say we are). From the way that women are portrayed in the media to the lack of equitable pay, this definitely has not stopped.
This is definitely a topic that I haven't touched on before and this blog is not for me to lecture on. I have little intention of adding a 'Politics' or 'Ethics' section to the menu above, that really isn't my style. So, instead of diving further into the fair pay, equal rights, feminism side of this brilliant festival, I am going to focus on the work of one of the keynote speakers, Nancy Honey (speaking, below), an American photographer who has been working on the project, 100 Leading Ladies.
As a project, it is simply a group of photographic portraits of 100 influential (and photogenic) senior women from the UK. As an idea, it is far more profound. Nancy states:
"In my own lifetime I have witnessed a profound shift: from little girls imagining their future as marriage and children to the now total belief from childhood that a woman will grow up to have a career outside the home. It is more important than ever to see the important women from all fields in our society and hear their voices of experience."
Alongside this, there is an extreme lack of publicity on successful older women throughout the media, with the main focus being on whether a B-list celeb (if there is such a thing these days) is trying to lose their baby weight. I believe this is why the 100 Leading Ladies project is important - it serves as a reminder that there are significant, world altering women under our noses. Women who have made astounding achievements from fashion to science, and who I had no idea existed until Nancy Honey stood up and spoke.
I heavily recommend taking a look at the project and even buying the book if you feel so inclined. From a photographer's point of view, it is brilliant. Each photograph brings out the character from each subject, all as individual as the next.
Overall, I have to thank Nancy Honey (and those that worked with her), along with everyone who took part in the Women Festival.
I heavily recommend taking a look at the project and even buying the book if you feel so inclined. From a photographer's point of view, it is brilliant. Each photograph brings out the character from each subject, all as individual as the next.
Overall, I have to thank Nancy Honey (and those that worked with her), along with everyone who took part in the Women Festival.
Rob.
No comments :
Post a Comment