17 Exhibition
Photography News Issue 23 absolutephoto.com
involved. We wanted to create a show that would portray the diversity of our work but that would also work together as a whole. What were people’s reactions when the idea was pitched to them? Beata: It was a very enthusiastic reaction. We had overwhelming support from day one and a lot of practical help from all the participating ladies. Vanda: Yes, we had a very positive reaction from the members of the group. We are very grateful for all the support and help we are getting from the participants along the way. Were the pieces curated specifically for the exhibition? Beata: Most of the pieces are new and were not exhibited anywhere else. There was no official brief, as I felt strongly that each participant should show their favourite subject and technique. After all, freedom of expression underpins art and allows artists to flourish. Vanda: The images for the exhibition were curated. We wanted the individual participants to express themselves through their art, but at the same time we wanted to make sure that the whole display has a natural flow, and creates a lasting experience for the potential viewers. We worked together with a panel of photographers who have an extensive experience in organising exhibitions to help us and hopefully succeed in our original aim. DeborahHughes – exhibitor Women bring a unique perspective to landscape and nature photography. A photograph taken embodies the photographer behind the lens as much as the subject in front of the camera or the camera itself. Showcasing women’s distinctive frame of reference is not about setting apart or lines in the sand, but a celebration and enlargement of our humanity. I am honoured and delighted to be a part of this exhibition.
You have said in the exhibition introduction that it emphasises the importance of photography in contemporary modern art, tell us more. Beata: Many people still argue that photography is not an art form. I strongly believe that as an individual expression of our vision and creativity is involved, it is art. The fact that we use technology (cameras and computers) may confuse some people, but it is not the camera but the photographer that makes the image. It is high time to focus the attention of the art world on the qualities of photography, be it literal or impressionistic. Hopefully, the exhibition on this scale, in central London, will create a lot of interest and persuade people that the place of photography is firmly established in modern art. Vanda: As Beata mentioned, quite often photography is not considered to be art. However if art is defined as a creative skill resulting in works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power, then I believe that photography has its rightful place in this category. I hope the images in this exhibition will demonstrate that camera work can be, and should be, considered an art form; that the showcased works are not just recordings of reality but express the exhibitors’ perceptions and emotions, and hopefully convey those personal impressions to the viewers. Tome photography is in part the experience of being in a particular place and trying to capture the emotions that the moment in time evokes inme. Similarly to the artists who paint their works of art based on the emotions they experienced.
What are you hoping to achieve with the exhibition? What are your ambitions for it? Beata: I just want to celebrate the fact that there are more and more talented female photographers around and to bring their unique images to a wider audience. Vanda: Forme the exhibition is a celebration of our passion for landscapes and photography. A celebration and joy of sharing that passion with so many other people. Do you have any plans to do something similar again in the future? Vanda: At the moment, I am just trying to focus on the task in hand, and hopefully, together with the rest of the participants make this exhibition a success. After that I am sure we will start thinking about the next steps and potential future exhibitions. Beata: I am sure that in a couple of months I will forget about the mammoth administrative and organisational tasks associated with such a large exhibition and the thrill of executing such a rewarding event will push me into a new artistic adventure.
See it yourself
The Mistresses of Light exhibition, consisting of the 12 photographers’ landscape images, is on at London’s OXO Tower Wharf gallery on the South Bank, fromWednesday 9 September until Sunday 13 September. It’s open daily between 11am and 6pm. Admission is free. oxotower.co.uk/events/mistresses-of-light
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