Who Does She Think She Is?

I'm usually unmoved by movie trailers, but this past Saturday I saw one that really piqued my attention. The trailer was for a new documentary called Who Does She Think She Is? that brings us into the lives of five women as they struggle with the inherent conflicts of trying to be a successful artist and mother.



I have been interested in this subject ever since the the panel I moderated at 3rd Ward back in March. For that panel I presented a ton of statistics about the dramatic drop off of female representation in the art world post grad school.

What happens to these artists in the years after they leave school? Do they get rejected by a male dominated art world or do they gradually get pulled in new directions by the demands of family?

These questions are very important to me and many of my friends as we find ourselves on the precipice of this reality. I'm very interested to see what this film has to say on the matter.

Chicks Gabbing About Photography

Pappa Sleeping © Sarah Small

This Saturday I will be moderating a panel discussion on what it means to be an emerging female art photographer in New York City. The panel, organized by Humble Arts Foundation and 3rd Ward, will feature the very talented Rachael Dunville, Tema Stauffer, Cara Phillips, Mary Mattingly and Sarah Small.

As moderator I personally guarantee this discussion will not resemble a Lifetime movie or a mystical moon poem to Gaia, but I will want to press the issue on some obvious and unique challenges faced by women in the art world today.

Here are the details:

Women in Art Photography
Saturday, March 22, 6 – 8 pm
3rd Ward
195 Morgan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

Apparently space is limited, so RSVP now to events@hafny.org. More info here.

Hey Ladies, Part Deux

© Ahndraya Parlato

I have been running around like the proverbial headless chicken of late and haven't had time to post much of anything. It seems like all I do these days is make prints and teach. Nice work if you can get it, but it doesn't leave much time for enjoying the pleasures of this life. Saturday I managed to find a free moment and make it over to 3rd Ward for the opening of Humble Art Foundation's 31 Under 31 exhibition.

I was fortunate to arrive a little early and avoid most of the later, hipper crowd that was willing to queue around the block just to get. This proved to be a good move on my part because the lines to the liquor were short and I had time to wander around and enjoy the work. All in all it was a very cohesive and consistent exhibition. The big standout for me was, Molly Landreth's piece, Claire. I have been slowly developing a photo crush with Molly's work for a while and seeing her print in person really sealed the deal.

Congratulations are in order to Amani and Jon and the entire crew at Humble Arts Foundation for a great show. If you didn't make the opening, have no fear. 31 Under 31 is on display at 3rd Ward until March 28.

Speaking of Humble, stay tuned for a special project Amani, Jon and I have been cooking up. It should be pretty cool.

UPDATE: Andy Adams at Flak Photo let me know they are featuring all the work in the 31 Under 31 show. It's just like being there only you don't need to wear pants. Come to think of it, you could probably get away with not wearing pants at 3rd Ward too.

Hey Ladies!

© Alice Wells

From the good folks at Humble Arts Foundation comes two new exciting opportunities for emerging photographers:

31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography
On March 1, 2008, in honor of Women's History Month, Humble Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Ladies Lotto, will present "31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography," a month-long exhibition celebrating 31 of the most innovative young women in emerging art photography under the age of 31. The Exhibition is co-curated by Lumi Tan, Director of Zach Feuer Gallery in NYC, and Jon Feinstein, Curatorial Director of Humble Arts Foundation.

Submission deadline: Friday, January 25th, 2008

Send submissions to: 31@hafny.org

Spring 2008 Grant for Emerging Photographers
Humble Arts Foundation established the Grant for Emerging Photographers (GEP) in 2007 to support fine art photography projects in the U.S. and abroad. Given twice annually, the GEP is a $1,000 grant award that recognizes the strongest new proposal in fine art photography as submitted to Humble Arts Foundation.

Deadline: 11:59 pm, Monday, March 3, 2008

For questions, please send an e-mail to: grant@hafny.org or visit the Humble site.

Of course, by narrowing the definition of emerging artists to age you are reinforcing the idea that the young have a patent on artistic efflorescence and economic need. This can be especially thorny when you are talking about women as we take the age thing a little more personally. We cougars in the photography biz can be just as innovative, just as emerging and just as in need of an institutional boost as the kittens. Think about all the talented women who wouldn't qualify for this opportunity.