Honorary WOMAN WARRIOR of the week: Darryl Roberts!

The documentary I went to see last night AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL is an extremely poignant look at the beauty and fashion industry and how it negatively affects millions of American women (and men). The story mainly follows the career of young model Gerren Taylor, who began doing runway at TWELVE! Interspersed with her story are interviews with industry people, doctors, scientists and regular Joes and Joe-ettes. Roberts explores the relationships between airbrushed and retouched advertising and the relatively low self-worth that many women feel, as well as the industry's unwillingness to change. While to many "educated" adults much of this information may already be known, he also reveals how, even when we know what we are up against, we can still fall victim.

Roberts said, in a Q&A session afterwards, that during his research he interviewed 200 women. Each of these women was asked several different questions, one of them being, "Do you feel beautiful." Only two women answered yes.

I hearby commend Darryl Roberts for this engaging movie, and nominate him honorary WOMAN WARRIOR of the week!

America the Beautiful....important movie

I'm going to see the Darryl Roberts movie AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL in just over an hour. Minnesota Public Radio interviewed Roberts about this important piece of work, and the audio clip will be available tomorrow. In the meantime, you can read an interview with him by clicking HERE.

You can join Darryl's blog by clicking HERE.

Join Darryl's MySpace by clicking HERE.

OPEN CALL FOR MODELS TO PORTRAY NEW WOMEN WARRIORS!

I am ready to select women who are interested in portraying my new WOMEN WARRIORS. Because I am striving to be historically accurate in as many details as possible, these images are NOT glamorized portraits. Many of these women fought in battle, or were great strategists, and these portraits seek to portray strength and character over physical beauty. You do not need to be a model to apply for WOMEN WARRIORS, and all women are welcome! Absolutely no facial piercings unless they can be removed (1-2 earring holes OK). No facial tattoos. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles, please email me at katie@ekatieholm.com, or call 612-270-0267. Please put the text "Women Warriors" in the email subject line. Let me know which woman (or women) you are interested in portraying and why you would like to be considered for that role. Additionally, please email me 1-3 photos. If you are unable to email photos, I will have an open studio casting in late June or early July. Specific details on each Warrior are below, and to see other artistic portrayals click on the word "images" after each name. I am using these artistic portrayals merely to see how other artists have depicted each woman; you do not need to look like these images to apply.

Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt, c. 1500 BC-1458 BC IMAGES The first Queen Regent to rule as Pharaoh, and one of only five women to do so. Regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. She 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.
Model notes: Hatshepsut reigned for 20+ years, and I would like to portray her between ages 30-42. Because she portrayed herself as Pharaoh (male), I may choose to dress her in the traditional Pharaonic costume, which was only a collar and kilt (no top). If you are interested in this role but do not want to be photographed topless, consideration will be given to this, so please apply.

Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, Vietnam, c. 12-43 AD IMAGES Two sisters who became leaders and successfully repelled Chinese invasions for three years. Most of their 36 generals were women, including their mother. They are national heroines of Vietnam.
Model notes: The Trung sisters would have been between ages 28-31 (approx.) during their leadership. Ideally I would like two sisters, or cousins, to portray these women. No dyed hair, please.

Nzinga Mbandi, Africa, c. 1583 - 1663 IMAGES Queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in southwestern Africa (Angola). She fought against Portuguese slave trade, and put women in positions of power.
Model notes: Nzinga took power around 1622 at approx. age 39, and reigned until she was 80, and will portray her anywhere between these ages.

Nanny of the Maroons, Jamaica, ?- c. 1733 IMAGES National Heroine of Jamaica and a well-known leader of the Jamaican Maroons in the eighteenth century. Fought against Spanish and British slavers, and sought independence for the people she led. Nanny is believed to be a free woman from the Akan or Ashanti tribe who came to Jamaica of her own choice. She was both a spiritual leader and expert strategist, and many myths and superstitions surround her existence.
Model notes: While Nanny's exact age is not known, she is depicted as an older-looking woman. I will portray her anywhere between ages 40-65.

Nanye-hi (Nancy Ward), America, c. 1738-1822 IMAGES Cherokee "Beloved Woman" She struggled for peaceful co-existence with white settlers, and was a revered leader in her tribe. On two occasions she managed to thwart hostile attacks, and was able to save the lives of many settlers and Native Americans alike.
Model notes: I would like to portray Nanye-Hi anywhere between ages 43-70.

Deborah Sampson Gannett, America, 1760 -1827 IMAGES The first known American woman to impersonate a man in order to join the Army, the first to fight in combat, and the first to receive a military pension.
Model notes: I would like to portray Deborah as either the 22-year-old who joined the army, the 42-year-old who gave lectures on her adventures, or in her early 50s when she was petitioning for her pension. The painting of her in the oval frame is an actual historic painting.

Policarpa Salvarrieta "La Pola," Columbia, c. 1791 - 1817 IMAGES "La Pola" was an orphaned seamstress who became an important strategist and spy, and fought in the Colombian revolution for independence from Spain. The Spanish put her to death, but Colombia eventually got its freedom.
Model notes: I would like to portray Policarpa in her early- to mid-twenties, about the age when she was captured and executed.

Lakshmi Bai, The Rani of Jhansi, India, c. 1828 - 1858 IMAGES 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.
Model notes: Lakshmi will be portrayed around age 30.

Don't be a Damsel in distress! Be Knight for a day!

From the Oakeshott Institute

Knight for a Day Summer Day Camps at The Oakeshott Institute
Happy Spring from the Oakeshott Institute! We are preparing for this summer's Knight for a Day Camps, and look forward to seeing all those interested in this fun activity.

In addition to last year's Viking Camp, we're offering a NEW camp called "The Age of Chivalry", which looks at the valorous and gritty world of knights in shining armor. "The Age of Chivalry" will have all new activities, and is a chance for your camper to have a different experience at the Knight for a Day Camp. Like last year, the camps are week long, half or full day, for ages 7-14.

Please call or email with any questions. You may download the flyer from this years camp page on the website. At the bottom of the flyer is the registration form, which you can print and mail in to the Oakeshott Institute. www.oakeshott.org/camp08.html

You can also see camp photos from last year on our website www.oakeshott.org/camp07.html


We are all excited for Knight for a Day Camp 2008, and hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Galen Poor
Educational Programs
Oakeshott Institute
1035 14th Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
work: (612)719-1954
cell: (612)670-4643

Annie Griffiths Belt, modern warrior with a camera

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths Belt. Annie is originally from Minneapolis, and has been working for Nat Geo since 1978. Through her slide presentation and lecture I discovered the wonderful voice of this award-winning photojournalist, whose work speaks to peace and understanding between all cultures. Her latest book is called A Camera, Two Kids and a Camel: My Journey in Photographs, and I strongly urge you all to enjoy her work.

Great Women Leader dolls

So I was googling images of the Women Warriors whom I will be portraying, and came across an intersting link. Aziza Bey is a Professor and Costume Historian, and hand-makes dolls of Great Women Leaders. The costume worn by each doll has been researched for historical accuracy. A woman after my own heart!

www.azizabey.com

So I want to know when the Boudicca doll will be ready!

Women Warriors after 1850: Captain Yekaterina Budanova

The following is from the Pratt Institue website.

Captain Katya Budanova flew with Lilya Litvyak in the 296 IAP, later renamed 73 Gv. IAP (Guards IAP). In the skies over Stalingrad, she once fought with a wingman against 12 enemy aircraft, ALONE against 13, and once with 3 other fighters against 19!

She was killed in combat in July 18, 1943, when 2 Messerschmitt Me-109s attacked her. Budanova dispensed with one, but the second managed to shoot her down and escape the battle with a damaged plane. She had a final score of 11 confirmed kills. The archivist of 586 IAP, Yekaterina Polunina, accounts that "she downed over 20 aircraft".

There are some lovely photographs included on the site, so be sure to follow the above link to view them.

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!

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

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