Welcome to femLENS’ second June Photography Industry Recap! The Recap is intended to give you a bi-monthly update on exhibitions, the most relevant dialogues about the ethics of photography, introduce you to interesting articles, and finally, bring some photographic inspiration from the industry right to you. It aims to be accessible, global, relevant and useful – let us know if you think we hit the mark in the comments.
Exhibitions
In the U.S., the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art just announced that it will hold an exhibition from 6 August 2022 – 8 January 2023, showcasing the photography of Bahman Jalali and Rana Javadi. ‘Living in Two Times’ will include photos of the unrest of the Iranian revolution in Tehran in 1979.
Photographer Dina Oganova’s work on the bodily autonomy of women and girls is being hosed at the Tbilisi Museum of Modern Art. Oganova is recognised for her work in portraiture, women’s rights and gender equality. You can read more here.
On 15 June, Eye Mama Project posted on Instagram the opening announcement for their ‘UNSEEN EXHIBITION’ in London, which explores censorship. See the post and details here.
Ethics
The University of Oxford’s Digital News Report 2022 has found that a growing number of people are avoiding news. The report highlights that the relationship between the public and photojournalism is ‘fraying’.
The return of globally recognised photo festival “Visa pour l’image” in this French article supporting the defense of human rights through photojournalism, brings up the question – has Visa not been observing what is happening with Magnum Photos and MSF? Ethically questionable images to promote the festival were used in the article. Should support, and promotion, of these images continue?
Erin Kirkland, a photographer from Michigan, U.S., has used her platform on Instagram to call out a well-known photography workshop for applauding and sharing the work of a “known industry abuser”. While the work was removed, and according to the source, the workshop quietly unfollowed the photographer, Kirkland was simply told by representatives of the workshop that they were “sorry for the offense taken by the post” and stated that they were not promoting the photographer in question, but that it was part of a large archive of photographers work who had spent “decades documenting undeserved communities.” How would you react to a response like this?
Articles
Vice’s I-D published “Intimate photos of working-class life in Appalachia” as part of Stacy Kranitz’ monograph ‘As It Was Give(n) To Me’. The article contains a link to her published work, which aims to capture the complexity of a multi-dimensional region often associated with poverty.
Sherwood Park News has featured local documentary photographer, Marie-Pierre Castonguay, as her work will be featured in an online exhibition by Documentary Family Photographers running from 13 June – 16 July. The collective aims to challenge traditional views of domestic life.
On 11 June, Amateur Photographer, published an article about the best contemporary British photographers. Check it out here.
Grant Scott, founder of the United Nations of Photography, recently wrote an article calling for new photographic reference points. To read his argument, check out his post here.
AnOther brought focus to a queer rights exhibition in London, titled “The Queens Jubilee”. “In Pictures: The Radical Activism of the UK Gay Liberation Front” highlights iconic images from the late 60s to the 70s showcasing gay activism in Britain at that time.
HuckMag wrote about Sarah Kaufman’s visual documentation of formerly secret swimming spot, the Devils Pool, in Philadelphia, U.S.. Her collection displays the draw of community to this hidden natural resource.
California18 reported on the announcement that Panasonic will no longer sponsor the LUMIX festival in the UK. This summer was to be the 8th LUMIX festival, and it is the first time that Panasonic will not be sponsoring the event.
Ivana Bajic and Gabriella Tellez created a multimedia experience around female surfers. Whalebone writes that, “The two teamed up to combine print, audio, photography and more for an in-depth exploration and experience of the nature of surf women—the athleticism, camaraderie, and peace.”
Amateur Photographer writes about the photojournalism show of University of Gloucester students here.
Huckmag featured the work of Finnish Photographer, Sirkka-Lissa Kontinnen, in their article titled “Photos capturing the changing face of Northern England”.
Frames published an interview with acclaimed photographer, Yukari Chikura, on 22 June, titled
The Female Gaze: Yukari Chikura: For the Love of Father” by Diana Nicholette Jeon.
Inspiration
Birth: A New Story is a documentary film currently in its crowdfunding stages until 30 June. The film has been created due to emerging questioning about the overuse of pharmaceutical intervention during the birthing process, and aims to show potential alternatives.
Photojournalism News has highlighted the Rory Peck Trust’s call for local freelance photographer nominations on Twitter on 23 June, to grant funds to freelancers who work under challenging conditions.