Lewisham Arthouse celebrates International Women's Week with Women in Photography – South of The River

Last year it was illustrations and drawings (an 8ft girl reaching for the stars, being the stand-out piece), but this year Lewisham Arthouse will mark International Women’s Week (IWW) with a collection of women-only photography called Women in Photography – South of The River.

Woman and child in grainy but detail-illuminating black and white, an ominous female hand draped over a bath tub, self-portrait-cum-collage, snapshots of meaningful locations – this year’s work is as diverse as it is thought-provoking.

“The idea of the collection is to reflect women’s interests, ability and skills,” said Alison who is also exhibiting a photograph – a black and white shot of the wave-lapped sand on a beach near her mother’s home.

“This photography shows issues relevant to them, as most of their work does.”

In the spirit of IWW’s message of equality, every piece of work submitted to the gallery has been hung.

“It’s not selective, we want to celebrate everybody,” said Alison. “You don’t need to be a top artist; the collection is about all women’s achievements.”

She added: “We’re strong on photography in this area, something the Arthouse wants to tap into. It’s a celebration of local photography – something which often doesn’t happen.

“I’ve always stuck to my guns that it’s women-only too. Women have been so marginalised in photography - less so now - but we’ve always offered them space to exhibit here.”

Since Lewisham Council stopped holding and funding IWW related events, it has become even more important for the Arthouse to mark the occasion and offer gallery space so openly, says Alison.

“We’ve been celebrating IWW at Lewisham Arthouse for a good few years. It’s definitely one of our events,” she said of the venue’s commitment to the cause.

“Lewisham Council used to offer funding but don’t anymore. We always used to take part in the council’s exhibitions; sadly they’re not doing that anymore. Few places do this, which is why we want to keep doing it.

“It’s important to keep on educating people that women’s rights do matter. People may think we’ve got equality but it really isn’t so.”

Issues will not only be raised by the photography, but by poetry and short story readings from published female authors too.

After incidentally discovering Anne-Marie Glasheen, Joan Byrne and Pia Randall-Goddard and enjoying their spoken-word work, Alison thought their women-centric writing would be an excellent accompaniment to the images.

“Photography goes well with writing and music, I find,” said Alison.

“Many of the women write as a way of expressing their ideas as well as the photography. They are three very interesting women – all published writers - and the Arthouse likes to host different events to attract new and different audience.

“This will give people space for debate and opinion is what we want.”

Women in Photography – South of The River, March 11 to March 22, Lewisham Arthouse, 140 Lewisham Way, New Cross.

Poetry and short-story readings with tea and cakes with Anne-Marie Glasheen, Joan Byrne and Pia Randall-Goddard on March 15. 3pm to 4.30 pm.