This new publication presents the project Putting Ourselves in the Picture, designed to empower women to use photography to tell stories about their own lives.
Since summer 2020 Impressions Gallery have been working with Fast Forward: Women in Photography to run a mentoring programme designed to develop the skills and confidence of eight women from refugee backgrounds.
Ana, Maryam, Sylvie, Taraneh, Elham, Manar, Vicky and Josiane took part in a series of workshops led by acclaimed photographer Carolyn Mendelsohn, inspirational talks with internationally renowned photographers Arpita Shah, and Maryam Wahid, and creative workshops with local artist Jean McEwan. Impressions Director Anne McNeill provided photography mentoring, and each of the women received personal support from Jane Hiley, Visitor Services Manager.
The new hardback publication Putting Ourselves in the Picture published by Trolley Books (www.trolleybooks.com) brings together photographs and creative writing produced by our group, alongside work created by fourteen other women working with our project partners across the UK.
The powerful narratives and inspiring images that emerge from the pages of this book confront gender discrimination and the marginalisation of women in our societies.
Putting Ourselves in the Picture is funded by the University for the Creative Arts through an ED&I (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Engagement Fellowship awarded to Anna Fox at Fast Forward by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UKRI. The partners are: Fast Forward at the University of Creative Arts, Impressions Gallery, Autograph ABP, Work Show Grow, Women for Refugee Women, The National Galleries of Scotland.
With thanks to MPB (https://www.mpb.com/en-uk) global online platform for used photography equipment, who gifted cameras to the participating women. The Rotary Club of Bradford Brontë for their Brontë Youth Award, and financial support for one of the participants. Bradford Community SOUP for their support. Solidaritech for loaning laptops to the women.
Series of short films
19 minutes.
This series of five short films feature Ana, Elham, Manar, Taraneh and Vicky who tell us what the project means to them.
Produced by Fast Forward in partnership with the filmmakers Laura Sims and Sarah Jeans