The defiant woman of Anta (Cuzco) in Peru
fighting for birth control.
(Photo by Pierre-Yves Ginet)
Alliance Française
de Durban and Durban Botanic Gardens in collaboration with the French Institute
of South Africa (IFAS) are to present the international exhibition Women in Resistance (Femmes en résistance) by
French photographer, Pierre-Yves Ginet, which can be seen at the Durban Botanic
Gardens from June 20.
The exhibition aims
to recognise the struggle, contribution, but also the sacrifice of women, for
survival, dignity, democracy, equality and justice all over the world.
The exhibition is
partnered with an interactive local exhibition Women in Resistance, Durban & KwaZulu-Natal on Facebook.
The exhibition is
an essay of portraits with bilingual English and French text by photographer,
Pierre-Yves Ginet. It features 25 photo panels of 25 groups of women in 25
countries – from the fight of Congolese women for victims of sexual violence,
to the fight of Tibetan nuns in Asia for education, through to the fight of Argentinean
women against dictatorship… a world tour of diverse causes lead by ordinary but
exceptional women.
“Women represent
more than half of humanity but many are still today, excluded from their
country’s economic, political and social life. They are more vulnerable to
poverty, lack of education and wars,” explains photographer Pierre-Yves Ginet.
In his works, Ginet
wanted to depart from the stereotypical representation which often places women
as victimised, rather to give priority to the struggles led by many of them. Women in Resistance shows the reality of
women’s commitment, struggle, and sacrifice for survival, dignity, democracy,
equality and justice. This is a stark reminder that societies are mixed and
that history is equally as feminine as it is masculine.
There is a local,
interactive element to this project – conducted on Facebook. The page Women in Resistance Exhibition, Durban &
KZN is open to all. The idea is to go to the exhibition take a selfie in
front of the Women In Resistance, Durban
& Kzn backdrop, upload it to the dedicated Facebook page, and add an
inspiring text to accompany your image.
“I have always been
a traveller and then I started taking pictures as a tourist,” recalls Ginet. “From
1991, I had a dual role of photo amateur journalist. I was a financial analyst
at the time and used up unpaid leave, but from 1998, I became 100% committed to
being a photojournalist. For me, the ultimate journey was Tibet, in 1991. I was
shocked by the destruction of the heritage. Under the ubiquitous Chinese army,
Tibetans are reduced to begging and there is rampant prostitution. The shock
was there: it was an encounter with the reality that I did not expect. I went
as a tourist and I came back as a journalist.”
Women in Resistance / Femmes en Résistance can be seen in The Sunken Garden of the
Durban Botanic Gardens from June 20 to July 10. Entrance is free
For more
information visit: Facebook Event Page: Women in Resistance Exhibition, DURBAN
& KZN
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