Photography News issue 23

Photography News Issue 23 absolutephoto.com

Exhibition

Why have you gone for a women only exhibition? Have you noticed or experienced an absence of women in the landscape genre? Vanda: In the past I thought there was an absence of women in landscape photography. However with time I realised that it was just a perception. There are many talented women who enjoy taking photographs in the great outdoors, they just don’t seem to be known to the public. Therefore I think, and hope, that by bringing together an all-female exhibition the perception might change; and women in general will be inspired and encouraged to showmore of their work to a wide audience. Beata: I am aware that art knows no gender, so possibly the next exhibition will present work by both men and women, but at this stage, I feel strongly that women photographers could benefit frommore publicity. What was the reason for favouring landscape as the genre? Beata: I am a landscape photographer and this genre is the closest to my heart. I love taking images of everything in the natural world, fromwide vistas to the smallest details. I share the same passion with many female photographers from Landscapes by Women. Our perception of landscapes is incredibly varied but we share the passion for them, so the choice of a genre was really obvious. What kind of photographer did you want involved in the exhibition? Vanda: I suppose a photographer who has a similar approach to photography to mine: being true to themselves, having passion for the beauty that surrounds us, and finding joy in what they do. Beata: One word describes the kind I was looking for: passionate! I don’t mind classic or progressive, colour or black & white.

How did you come by and decide on the final 12 exhibitors? Beata: Although I know many more talented female photographers, it is the size of the OXO gallery that dictates how many images can be displayed there. All the approached photographers willing to take part and presenting a strong portfolio were accepted in the exhibition. Vanda: We couldn’t accommodate all the photographers we wanted to because of the size of the venue. Though we are hoping that we can find a larger space in the future. How and why did you come to host the exhibition at the OXO Tower? Vanda: I walk past the gallery every day on my way to work, and see many exhibitions there. It is an ideal place to show your work. The extraordinary light, the remarkable space, the vibrant location in the middle of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Beata: For years I have been visiting OXO and have been enchanted with the great light and atmosphere of it. I love everything about it, the high windows allowing plenty of light from outside, the vibrant energy of the area combined with the restful influence of the River Thames. We are very proud that the selection panel of the OXO was satisfied with the quality of our images and the idea behind this exhibition and as a result, that we have secured such a prestigious gallery. Were you quite selective in who to involve and who not to? Beata: Yes, the selection process had to be established and we were very lucky to work with a great panel that was assessing submitted images. Vanda: We were selective about the images displayed, but not about the photographers

Top Three Trees in the Mist by Linda Wevill. Above Frosty Morning on the Wey by Rachael Talibart. Above right Frosty sunset at Monsal Head by Karen Frenkel. Right Boat Arriving in Fog by Susan Brown. Left Bow Beech Calm by Sarah Medway.

Cheryl Hamer – exhibitor I feel it’s really important to get more women involved in photography for all sorts of reasons. The Landscapes by Women community is a fantastic way to do this, and the exhibition will really help to raise the profile of women in photography – and inspire more women to express their creativity in this way. This is one of the ways that I am trying to raise my own profile within the world of photography. I love what I do – both making my own images and helping other people to develop, and this will enable me to build on both of those things. I run some workshops exclusively for women to provide a supportive environment in which women can express themselves photographically, and therefore play my part in inspiring female photographers. The exhibition dovetails with this wonderfully and I am very happy to be part of such a groundbreaking enterprise.