WOW Exhibitions
Chiswick Women’s Refuge
Photos by Christine Voge
Spirit Level at Royal Festival Hall
In 1978 Christine Voge was sent on a press assignment to photograph the much publicised Chiswick Women’s Refuge.
Founded by Erin Pizzey in 1971, this refuge is recognised as the world’s first shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Over a period of three weeks Christine Voge was made very welcome to visit the premises whilst making a photographic record of life in this womens’ the shelter.
Desperate women together with their children, fleeing violent partners, were living at the refuge in appalling and overcrowded conditions.
But amongst this chaos of some seventy mothers and children existing in nine rooms Voge found that she was “touched by the solidarity, tenderness and humour which the refuge community held for one another”.
Erin Pizzey will be speaking at WOW as part of Domestic Violence: No Refuge on Sunday 10 March 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the Weston Pavilion at Royal Festival Hall. Get more details here
Christine Voge will be present at the exhibition on Friday 8th, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th March after 1pm at Spirit Level to discuss the photographs.
Creative Connection: Climbing the wall
Spirit Level at Royal Festival Hall
London Veil
Screenplay at Clore Ballroom Floor
London Veil is a body of work by photographic artist Sara Shamsavari that seeks to give prominence to young muslim women in the London by documenting and celebrating the expression of their individual identities as interpreted through their vibrant and varied hijab styles and adornments.
Neither a critic nor an advocate of the veil, London Veil exists to recognise and celebrate its participants as strong, vital individuals who manage to shine, despite the struggles of youth, womanhood and prejudice they may receive as a result of the visibility of their faith.
Through the documentation of London’s young muslim women through their self-styled hijabs, ranging from subtle to wild in their expression,London Veil both illustrates and is inspired by the influence of our perceived restrictions, limitations and challenges. Those forces encourage originality, adaptation and in turn transform cultural expression into objects of beauty.
With a belief in the role of artists as leaders in social and spiritual progress who spark change Sara’s endeavor is to empower the participants of her work and in doing this, encourage a transformation in the way people view society and themselves.
Find out more about Sara Shamsavari
The Change I Want To See
By Yemisi Blake and Angela Dennis
In response to the first International Day of The Girl 2012, photographers Yemisi Blake & Angela Dennis asked 300 young women at Southbank Centre’s WOW Girls event ‘what change do you want see in the world for girls?’.
This series of portraits show a variety of responses, sidelines and new questions that came out of the conversation.
Nailwraps
Artist Phoebe Davies has been working in collaboration with groups of women exploring current attitudes to feminism, female expectation and celebrated / forgotten women of influence.
This has resulted in a set of nail art designs depicting women of personal influence or significance.
Over the WOW weekend, the nailwraps will be applied and distributed from a nail-bar – so come and have a nailwrap applied, exchange opinions, learn the history of the woman you’re celebrating, and submit your personal nomination for the next set of nailwraps.
Open to men and women!
Nominate your women of influence on Twitter with #femiheros #WOW2013
Nailwraps: Influences is produced by Artsadmin and supported using public funding by Arts Council England, Southbank Centre and WAH! Nails.
