The World Of Women
The Alliance Francaise in Nairobi is a non-political institution that not only promotes the French language and helps to develop an appreciation and understanding of French and Francophone cultures but which also promotes artistic and cultural diversity. In this regard they are calling for amateur and professional photographers to submit work in an international photography competition on the theme of The World Of Women, to be judged by a professional jury composed by Alliance Francaise de Nairobi. The chosen photos/finalists will be exhibited at the AF Nairobi on the occasion of the Festival CulturElles 2010 which marks International Women’s Day 2012.
The concept of ‘The World Of Women’ from my perspective explores the worlds of possibilities or non-possibilities that women have to face in their lives, often on a daily basis. I’m taking a risk by exposing that I’m submitting to the competition as I may or may not make a placing which of course will be disappointing, but the point is these images and the concept will at least get some exposure through those of you who read this. Thank you.
Image 1 ‘FUTURES’
Two young girls dressed for church on Sunday in Nairobi’s Kibera slum are held protectively and strictly by their obviously religious and stern mother. The passing young women, modernly and scantily dressed, reminds of the many different lives that women lead either by choice or because they have had to.
Image 2 ‘DIFFERENT WORLDS’
A bikini model waits self-consciously next to a group of masai women during a swimwear photo shoot in Amboseli National Park in Kenya. The image captures the incredibly different worlds and cultures from which these women come and from a larger perspective what they also represent ie. modern world of fashion, magazines, wealth, freedom of expression for women vs. ancient tribal culture, role of women in community, survival, very little independent/individual expression.
Image 3 ‘LEFT ALONE’
This is a portrait of Ida Makena, 23, outside her ‘home’ made from donated tent material, in Shalom City in Kenya’s Rift Valley, a displaced peoples’ camp set up after the country’s post-election violence. Her life is a series of ‘non-choices’ in one photograph, left alone by her husband, by the Kenya Government, by violence, she continues to tend to her daily chores of clothes washing and cooking despite her obvious hardship.
Image 4 ‘INNOCENCE’
Dressed in her best white dress next to ordinarily dressed boys, awkwardly playing with her shoe, the photograph captures the innocence of a girl before the influences and potential difficulties catch up and begin to take hold of her life in Nairobi’s Kibera slum.
All images and text copyright GEORGINA GOODWIN
