National Museum Cardiff
Sat 5 May-Sun 11 Nov
Recently we’ve seen a great deal more attention brought to the status of women in society, and although this has been partly a result of ugly stories like the Weinstein scandal, or centred on debates about pay inequality, it has at least been a catalyst for a lot of highly visible protests, and hopefully some meaningful change. Ultimately, a key battle in universal suffrage was won a century ago this year, though initially it was only women over 30 who were allowed to vote (the voting age for men being 21), and we still bear witness to gender inequalities on a daily basis 100 years later.
This month sees the start of a yearlong exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff which showcases the role of women within photography as artists and innovators – and from December, an examination of the role that the medium has and does play in the misrepresentation and objectification of women.
The first part of this exhibition celebrates all that women brought to the world of photography, with the new installation promising to take visitors on a journey through the 150+-year history of celluloid image capturing. Starting in Wales with 19th century pioneers of the art form, audiences will be able to consider innovators such as Mary Dillwyn, whose photographic studies of flora, fauna, family and friends in the early Victorian period pushed the boundaries of what was being recorded on film. The exhibition then moves up to the present day with photographers including Chloe Dewe Matthews and Clementine Schneidermann. One particular highlight is the work of Bieke Depoorter, a Belgian artist whose intimate works centre on people in a domestic setting, travelling around Russia and the USA to capture slices of home life.
The National Museum Cardiff has a track record of hosting quality installations and this exhibition promises to continue the trend. With the second part due to upend expectations in December, Buzz will certainly be heading over to take a look through the lens.
Admission: free. Info: 0300 1112333 / www.museum.wales
words Max Harvey