Exhibition explores gender and identity
TO coincide with International Women’s Day, a new exhibition that explores gender, female identity, and representation opens at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in Farnham this month.
Curated by Caroline Molloy, Programme Director of Fine Art and Photography at UCA, the exhibition is a collaboration between UCA, the Indian Institute of Technology, and Woxsen University in Hyderabad.
Dr Molly said: “This is a truly cross-cultural project that connects the wider community.”
The exhibition – the result of an international open call – will explore the complex theme of gender roles in a socio-political context and showcase how photography is not merely an art form but can be a powerful tool for activism and change.
It includes documentary photography of fisherwomen in Malpe, India, self-portraits that question ideas of femininity and explore familial heritage, and documentary portraits of young Southeast Asian women -from the West Midlandsparticipating in sports.
Priyanka Pattni, an MFA Photography student whose work is exhibited, uses photography to explore her Indian identity, recreating private moments personal to her experiences, taught and passed down by the women in her family.
She added: “This photographic series creates a sense of togetherness while allowing individuals to feel seen.”
Also on show are portraits by Sremanth M, Rosy Martin, Jennifer Pattison, Michael Togher-Prescott, Craig Waddell, and UCA alumni Charan Singh. Prof. Caroline Molloy will be speaking about the exhibition alongside selected artists on March 19 at 3.15pm.
Gender and Gesture: Thinking Beyond the Visual runs from March 11 to April 8 at Foyer Gallery, University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham. Entry is free.