By Jed Lanyon
Warburton based photographer Suzanne Phoenix curates her annual International Women’s Day photography project on 8 March at The Alderman in Brunswick East.
For the eighth consecutive year Ms Phoenix will bring together a diverse group of women who inspire her world to take their portrait while posing them the question, ‘What does International Women’s Day mean to you?’
The portraits of the participants will be pasted up as street art on a Melbourne wall on 7 March in preparation for International Women’s Day on the following day.
From bronze World Boxing Championships medallist Kristy Harris, to writer and comedian Justine Sless, to musician and artist Rosie Lane and many more will all feature on the wall along with their response to what International Women’s Day means to them.
Suzanne Phoenix shared a bit about what this project means to her.
“It’s important to understand that people’s images are going out into the world, I think it has huge benefits for someone to feel like they have been seen and feel heard.
“(It’s about) acknowledging the hard work that has happened but also being conscious that there is a long way to go,” she said.
“Photography has given me the opportunity to meet great people and be in some crazy situations.
“My goal is to take beautiful photos of people no matter how the world may view their aesthetic.
“The by line is just the tip of the iceberg, but the story to get to there is a long one,” she said.
Ms Phoenix spoke about how the project has evolved over the course of eight years.
“Over the years it has been different, at first (it was) mostly women I was working with and those volunteering in the area. I had exhausted my friends list,” she said.
While Ms Phoenix wants to continue to interview women at a community level, she also wants to host women who have significant influence in society for her project.
Last year’s edition of ‘What does International Women’s Day mean to me?’ saw former president of the Australian Human Rights Commission Gillian Triggs get involved.
Ms Phoenix says Ms Triggs understood that she has a profile and the importance of using it to empower others through the project.
Ms Phoenix hosts beginner photography classes at Cire Community Workskills Centre in Yarra Junction.
“The results are just so amazing. The change in how they (the students) see things from beginning to end is amazing and it’s great to be able to facilitate that and watch people grow.”
The ‘What does International Women’s Day mean to me?’ portraits will go up on 7 March and can be found at the rear of 219 Smith St, Fitzroy.
