Over the last week I have been reading several books on Women Warriors, as well as looking up suggestions that have been sent to me, and utilizing the ever-wonderful Wikipedia. I am coming to the conclusion that it is going to be difficult to select just six or eight new women, especially since I want to include a good cross-section of women across the globe.
Many of the women I have discovered don't have much written on them upon first inspection. The entries will say things like, "So-n-so fought in the Battle of Luxembourg" or "Lady X was known to use swords and duel." While that proves women were active in more than the household and church, it doesn't necessarily lend enough information to write a good story, nor help me create a compelling photo. So I have been concentrating on women about whom more information is known. In some cases I am still able to find women who have battled and led interesting lives, but aren't necessarily the most famous for their country. For instance, Jane of Montfort versus Joan of Arc. While Joan may seem a shoe-in for my project, I really would like to shed light on important women who might be as famous, but just aren't as well known.
However, in some cases, I am having trouble finding any information on women at all. This is mostly true in countries where oral history has been the main recorder of events, and is most true for places like South America and for the Native Americans. While folklore and tales of mythical heroines may abound, little is recorded about actual women leaders. In the case of Native Americans it becomes difficult to google names like "Grey Wolf" or "Brown Weasel."
Another obstacle becomes the delineation between countries whose borders have shifted, or no longer exist, or encompass nearly completely different civilizations. For instance, I plan to portray Hatshepsut of Egypt. Do I then ignore the rest of Africa, as I already have a person from that continent? And if I choose to portray Catalina de Erauso of Spain, do I then disregard other Western European women of importance, like Catherina Sforza or Queen Christina of Sweden?
There are some women or groups of women who would be fascinating to portray, such as the Amazons, who truly did exist. But while archaeology and anthropology have proven their existence, there is not one single, named woman on whom to concentrate. Perhaps these women, and the women of folklore who may or may not have existed, could become a spin-off project?
While most of the course of human history has been about conquering foreign lands and dominating other cultures to the advancement of one's own culture, I do take issue with portraying early American settlers. Perhaps this is because I am American, and the subject of Native American genocide is "too close for comfort." While I have no problem portraying Boudicca, who slaughtered Romans as well as her own kins people when they defied, I can't yet bring myself to select a pioneer woman who is known for fighting native tribes.
These are of course all issues I will have to sort through and work out for myself. I do have a good, long list (68 names!) of women from whom to choose, although I have one or two more avenues to investigate before I decide for sure. Some of the names mentioned above are candidates, and here are a few more just to tantalize you!
Candace of Meroe (Africa)
Zinga Mbandi (Africa)
Madeleine de Vercheres (Canada)
Empress Wu Chao (China)
Charlotte Corday (France)
Queen Carcas of Carcassone (France)
Hydna (Greece)
Deborah Sampson Gannet (N. America)
Glory of the Morning (N. America)
Queen Olga of Kiev (Russia)
Manuela Sáenz (S. America)
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
why have Women fallen out of history?
I have this week off from work to spend time researching WOMEN WARRIORS for my project. One thing that I have discovered that really should not have surprised me is one of the reasons why and when women began to be dominated and left out of history. Here are some quotes from author David E. Jones' book Women Warriors: A History:
"The shift in the perception of women as legitimate sources of power in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries bears comment. A key is found in the struggle between powerful male and female leaders of religious communities. The power that abbesses had accrued over time, based on their positions as managers and tax collectors over vast tracts of land and dozens of villages, had put them in a position to thwart male church leaders from priests to bishops to, in some cases, the pope."
Jones goes on to explain the powers of the women had been based on the ancient Christian ideas of religious organization, and the veneration of Mary. "Typically more noblewomen than noblemen were literate," which allowed for women like Abbess Audisia to appeal to the pope and win an excommunication case brought against her by a bishop.
"The official unraveling of the abbess's powers can be found in the Council of Trent....the call for the reformation of religious orders and the empowering of bishops as representatives of the pope, thus rendering them superior to women...."
So, yes, thanks to the Holy Catholic Church, we have one of the reasons why power was taken away from women. I knew I disliked Sunday School for some reason....
This is, by no means, the only reason women are more difficult to find and trace in history. I just got uppity about it and wanted to write something. Maybe a Warrior Nun will make it into my project....!
Here are more religious examples (for warfare) I found on a Wiki of Women in Medieval Warfare:
590 AD: The Christian Synod of Druim Ceat issues a decree that English women can no longer go into battle alongside men.
697: Roman Catholic priests forbid Irish women and children from being present on contested battlefields.
Some other reasons most likely include the fact that much history was kept orally, and that over time names and deeds have been lost, not only of women but men. I think that this would hold especially true in cultures that have disappeared, or that had no written language. But I am not a cultural anthropologist....
Women Warriors: A History by David E. Jones, 1997, Brassey's Washington & London, pp. 155-156
"The shift in the perception of women as legitimate sources of power in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries bears comment. A key is found in the struggle between powerful male and female leaders of religious communities. The power that abbesses had accrued over time, based on their positions as managers and tax collectors over vast tracts of land and dozens of villages, had put them in a position to thwart male church leaders from priests to bishops to, in some cases, the pope."
Jones goes on to explain the powers of the women had been based on the ancient Christian ideas of religious organization, and the veneration of Mary. "Typically more noblewomen than noblemen were literate," which allowed for women like Abbess Audisia to appeal to the pope and win an excommunication case brought against her by a bishop.
"The official unraveling of the abbess's powers can be found in the Council of Trent....the call for the reformation of religious orders and the empowering of bishops as representatives of the pope, thus rendering them superior to women...."
So, yes, thanks to the Holy Catholic Church, we have one of the reasons why power was taken away from women. I knew I disliked Sunday School for some reason....
This is, by no means, the only reason women are more difficult to find and trace in history. I just got uppity about it and wanted to write something. Maybe a Warrior Nun will make it into my project....!
Here are more religious examples (for warfare) I found on a Wiki of Women in Medieval Warfare:
590 AD: The Christian Synod of Druim Ceat issues a decree that English women can no longer go into battle alongside men.
697: Roman Catholic priests forbid Irish women and children from being present on contested battlefields.
Some other reasons most likely include the fact that much history was kept orally, and that over time names and deeds have been lost, not only of women but men. I think that this would hold especially true in cultures that have disappeared, or that had no written language. But I am not a cultural anthropologist....
Women Warriors: A History by David E. Jones, 1997, Brassey's Washington & London, pp. 155-156
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Afghan Women march for Peace
Women in Afghanistan are organizing, aiming to mobilize one million women to march for peace on International Women's Day on March 8th.
Please join me in signing the following petition so they know the rest of the world supports them.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/afghanpeace/
http://www.ipetitio
Women in Kandahar, one of the most violent Afghan provinces, were the first to declare they will gather on March 8th, and they were soon followed by women in Kabul. They have asked women across Afghanistan to start their own March 8th events. They believe only Afghans can stop the violence against other Afghans. They want to stop the killing of their sons, husbands, brothers, fathers and families.
The Afghan women have taken their cue from two ordinary women in Ireland who, in the 1970s, grew angry because Irish were killing Irish. These women went door to door and convinced women to march for peace. They later won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Please support these brave Afghan women with your signature as they march peacefully to proclaim PEACE NOW on March 8th at 10 am. Peace begins with each one of us, and signing the petition will only take a few moments of your time:
The Afghan women have taken their cue from two ordinary women in Ireland who, in the 1970s, grew angry because Irish were killing Irish. These women went door to door and convinced women to march for peace. They later won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Please support these brave Afghan women with your signature as they march peacefully to proclaim PEACE NOW on March 8th at 10 am. Peace begins with each one of us, and signing the petition will only take a few moments of your time:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/afghanpeace/
And please pass this on to your network. If one million Afghan women can muster the courage to march, we should be able to gather at least as many signatures on this petition.
And please pass this on to your network. If one million Afghan women can muster the courage to march, we should be able to gather at least as many signatures on this petition.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
THE FULL BODY PROJECT by Leonard Nimoy
I was watching The Colbert Report Thursday evening (Valentine's Day!), and Leonard Nimoy was the show's guest. I am sure all of you know him as Star Trek's Spock, but what many of you don't know is that Leonard Nimoy is a fairly accomplished fine art photographer. Steven Colbert was interviewing Nimoy about his latest series The Full Body Project. The project has developed into a book, and here is a description from Amazon.com:
In his provocative new book, photographer and actor Leonard Nimoy captures images of full-bodied women, some of whom are involved in what is known as the "fat acceptance" movement. "The average American woman," Nimoy writes, "weighs 25 percent more than the models selling the clothes. There is a huge industry built up around selling women ways to get their bodies closer to the fantasy ideal. Pills, diets, surgery, workout programs. . . . The message is You don't look right. If you buy our product, you can get there.'"
I applaude Mr. Nimoy on this important and beautiful piece of work, and dub him Honorary Woman Warrior. To learn more visit these links:
Leonard Nimoy Photography
buy the book on Amazon.com
watch The Colbert Report interview
visit the MySpace
In his provocative new book, photographer and actor Leonard Nimoy captures images of full-bodied women, some of whom are involved in what is known as the "fat acceptance" movement. "The average American woman," Nimoy writes, "weighs 25 percent more than the models selling the clothes. There is a huge industry built up around selling women ways to get their bodies closer to the fantasy ideal. Pills, diets, surgery, workout programs. . . . The message is You don't look right. If you buy our product, you can get there.'"
I applaude Mr. Nimoy on this important and beautiful piece of work, and dub him Honorary Woman Warrior. To learn more visit these links:
Leonard Nimoy Photography
buy the book on Amazon.com
watch The Colbert Report interview
visit the MySpace
Sunday, February 10, 2008
photography workshop BODY IMAGE with Jila Nikpay
The Minnesota Center for Photography is offering a three part workshop entitled BODY IMAGE with photographer Jila Nikpay. From the MNCP website:
Description
Photographer/filmmaker Jila Nikpay offers women the opportunity to explore their body identity in this workshop. Her cross-cultural approach combines Eastern and Western sensibilities and makes use of a creative process through which women use their imaginations and intellects to examine personal relationships with their bodies. The workshop begins with a slide lecture that surveys the depiction of women in Eastern and Western paintings. The following session includes group discussion and creative exercises that prepare participants for an individual, explorative process using fabric as an artistic medium. The instructor will then photograph each woman, guiding her to move and express inner images of her body. In the third session, these photographs will be projected larger than life, offering the chance to view their draped bodies in a dramatic way and to engage in group discussion. Each participant will keep a 5x7 photograph as a record of her self-discovery.
Requirements
This workshop is open to all women who are interested in discussing and exploring their identities through dialogue and photographic exercises in a safe and nurturing environment. Participants do not need to have experience in photography.
To learn more and sign up for this workshop click HERE.
Description
Photographer/filmmaker Jila Nikpay offers women the opportunity to explore their body identity in this workshop. Her cross-cultural approach combines Eastern and Western sensibilities and makes use of a creative process through which women use their imaginations and intellects to examine personal relationships with their bodies. The workshop begins with a slide lecture that surveys the depiction of women in Eastern and Western paintings. The following session includes group discussion and creative exercises that prepare participants for an individual, explorative process using fabric as an artistic medium. The instructor will then photograph each woman, guiding her to move and express inner images of her body. In the third session, these photographs will be projected larger than life, offering the chance to view their draped bodies in a dramatic way and to engage in group discussion. Each participant will keep a 5x7 photograph as a record of her self-discovery.
Requirements
This workshop is open to all women who are interested in discussing and exploring their identities through dialogue and photographic exercises in a safe and nurturing environment. Participants do not need to have experience in photography.
To learn more and sign up for this workshop click HERE.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Mai Na Lee, a modern Hmong Woman Warrior in Minnesota
The Minnesota Women's Press had a recent article about Mai Na Lee, a history professor at the University of Minnesota. According to the artcile by Erin Wisness "[Mai Na Lee] is the first female Hmong professor at the University of Minnesota, and the first Hmong person in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in history." To read the full article click HERE.
Our swords are raised to you, Mai Na Lee!
Our swords are raised to you, Mai Na Lee!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
support modern Women Warriors, donate to Medisaga
Lisa Stock is the owner of Mythic Films and the creator/writer of Medisaga, a wonderful film in pre-production that features a strong female lead role. Here is a synopsis from the webstie :
"Inspired by the tale of The Armless Maiden, THE MEDISAGA is a sweeping romance of classical love and mystical dreams, comprised of three films: Titania, Purgatory, and Neptune. Unlike most trilogies these films will not be consecutive sequels to one another, but will find the characters continuing their journeys though different landscapes and time periods." To learn more visit:
http://www.inbytheeye.com/MedisagaSynopsis.html
MEDISAGA is in pre-production, and is seeking funds to move forward with the dream and the film. Consider making a small donation to this wonderful Women Warriors-esque project!
http://www.inbytheeye.com/JoinTheSaga.html
~Katie
"Inspired by the tale of The Armless Maiden, THE MEDISAGA is a sweeping romance of classical love and mystical dreams, comprised of three films: Titania, Purgatory, and Neptune. Unlike most trilogies these films will not be consecutive sequels to one another, but will find the characters continuing their journeys though different landscapes and time periods." To learn more visit:
http://www.inbytheeye.com/MedisagaSynopsis.html
MEDISAGA is in pre-production, and is seeking funds to move forward with the dream and the film. Consider making a small donation to this wonderful Women Warriors-esque project!
http://www.inbytheeye.com/JoinTheSaga.html
~Katie
Friday, February 1, 2008
WOMEN WARRIORS receives a grant!
With great excitement, fanfare and clanging of swords, I am proud to announce the WOMEN WARRIORS has received a grant! The grant is the Minnesota State Arts Board 2008 Artist Initiative Grant, and I am one of twenty-one recipients who were selected from 117 applicants.
The Artist Initiative Grant alternates discipline eligibility from year to year, and photography is one of the mediums for 2008. While most grant programs are designed specifically for the completion of a project, with an exhibit at the end of the grant period, the Artist Initiative Grant is deigned to help artists explore, create and grow in whatever way will best help them. Part of the application process is to specify how you will use your funding to further your career and growth as an artist. My goal for the WOMEN WARRIORS in 2008 is to create a minimum of six new portraits, which would bring my current total to ten images. With these images I will then produce three high-end portfolios to have available to send to galleries and museums, both nationally and internationally. Without a strong portfolio for this work, I will not be able to effectively promote my project, nor seek further funding or exhibitions, so the portfolios will be the culmination of my work from this grant.
You're probably wondering who my new warriors will be! The WOMEN WARRIORS will be expanding to include women of other cultures from around the world. As always I will seek to portray women who are not well known, and who lived prior to 1850 so that no photograph of them could possibly exist. I have seleceted four new warriors, two who are sisters, but as always I am open to your suggestions! Here are the new warriors:
Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's female Pharaoh who was one of the most prolific builders in ancient Egypt. Fans of Egyptology will know that her mummy was recently discovered and DNA analyzed, allowing us to know more about her lineage and physical build. Interesting fact: at the time of her death, Hatshepsut was obese and diabetic.
Vietnam's Trung Sisters. Trung Trac and Trung Nhi were two 1st century women leaders who successfully repelled Chinese invasions for three years, and are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam. Many of their generals were women.
Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of Jhansi. Lakshmi was the queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi in North India, was one of the leading figures of the Indian rebellion of 1857, and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India. Her fall brought about many significant changes in India. Due to her bravery, she became a national hero and the epitome of female bravery.
Needless to say I am very excited to get started! Thank you to everyone for your support, and especially to my Women Warriors without whom this project would not have happened.
(previously posted on MySpace 12-15-2007)
The Artist Initiative Grant alternates discipline eligibility from year to year, and photography is one of the mediums for 2008. While most grant programs are designed specifically for the completion of a project, with an exhibit at the end of the grant period, the Artist Initiative Grant is deigned to help artists explore, create and grow in whatever way will best help them. Part of the application process is to specify how you will use your funding to further your career and growth as an artist. My goal for the WOMEN WARRIORS in 2008 is to create a minimum of six new portraits, which would bring my current total to ten images. With these images I will then produce three high-end portfolios to have available to send to galleries and museums, both nationally and internationally. Without a strong portfolio for this work, I will not be able to effectively promote my project, nor seek further funding or exhibitions, so the portfolios will be the culmination of my work from this grant.
You're probably wondering who my new warriors will be! The WOMEN WARRIORS will be expanding to include women of other cultures from around the world. As always I will seek to portray women who are not well known, and who lived prior to 1850 so that no photograph of them could possibly exist. I have seleceted four new warriors, two who are sisters, but as always I am open to your suggestions! Here are the new warriors:
Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's female Pharaoh who was one of the most prolific builders in ancient Egypt. Fans of Egyptology will know that her mummy was recently discovered and DNA analyzed, allowing us to know more about her lineage and physical build. Interesting fact: at the time of her death, Hatshepsut was obese and diabetic.
Vietnam's Trung Sisters. Trung Trac and Trung Nhi were two 1st century women leaders who successfully repelled Chinese invasions for three years, and are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam. Many of their generals were women.
Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of Jhansi. Lakshmi was the queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi in North India, was one of the leading figures of the Indian rebellion of 1857, and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India. Her fall brought about many significant changes in India. Due to her bravery, she became a national hero and the epitome of female bravery.
Needless to say I am very excited to get started! Thank you to everyone for your support, and especially to my Women Warriors without whom this project would not have happened.
(previously posted on MySpace 12-15-2007)
Who are the WOMEN WARRIORS?
The WOMEN WARRIORS began in the spring of 2006, and was inspired by the story of England’s Queen Boudicca, a heroic and daring leader who has been all but forgotten by history. I was driven to discover other historic women leaders, and longed to know not only their tales, but also what they may have looked like. I decided to interpret their significance by creating a series of formal studio portraits, as if photography had existed during their lifetimes. Each portrait is based on historic evidence and existing artistic depictions, and every attempt has been made to be as historically accurate as possible with resources available to me. Utilizing controlled studio lighting, digital photography and Photoshop, I have exercised complete artistic control through every step of the process, assuring I was accurately creating what I envisioned, leaving nothing to chance. These images are created to challenge the viewers’ thoughts and ideas about women’s roles in history. The WOMEN WARRIORS has allowed me to create an approach to portraiture that exposes and makes real the grandeur of the unmarked and unknown significant life.
So who could be a candidate for WOMEN WARRIORS? Any woman who provided leadership for their country, whether in a military, strategic, or political capacity. The contributions can be of any size. You don't have to be Joan of Arc to make a difference! For the purposes of my project candidates must be real women (sorry Medea), have lived prior to 1850, and preferably be obscure. Women of all nations, religious backgrounds and time periods are welcome.
If you would like to suggest a candidate, or volunteer to portray a warrior, please email me.
katie@ekatieholm.com
So who could be a candidate for WOMEN WARRIORS? Any woman who provided leadership for their country, whether in a military, strategic, or political capacity. The contributions can be of any size. You don't have to be Joan of Arc to make a difference! For the purposes of my project candidates must be real women (sorry Medea), have lived prior to 1850, and preferably be obscure. Women of all nations, religious backgrounds and time periods are welcome.
If you would like to suggest a candidate, or volunteer to portray a warrior, please email me.
katie@ekatieholm.com
Welcome to my BLOG!
Hello and welcome to my Blog! My name is E. Katie Holm, and I am a photographer from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am primarily a fine artist, but shoot commercially as well. To see a selection of my work please visit my website at www.ekatieholm.com.
This Blog is being created to follow the progression of my current project WOMEN WARRIORS, for which I have received a grant. This project explores little-known women leaders in history, and seeks to depict what they may have looked like had photography existed during their lifetimes. All images are based on historic evidence and existing artistic depictions. Over the course of 2008 I will post updates on the project, as well as other topics that relate to the project or photography in general.
Enjoy and visit often!
~Katie
This Blog is being created to follow the progression of my current project WOMEN WARRIORS, for which I have received a grant. This project explores little-known women leaders in history, and seeks to depict what they may have looked like had photography existed during their lifetimes. All images are based on historic evidence and existing artistic depictions. Over the course of 2008 I will post updates on the project, as well as other topics that relate to the project or photography in general.
Enjoy and visit often!
~Katie
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