The #EverydayClimateCrisis Visual Petition is the first project that Women Photographers Australia is tackling. It will be a visual response to the Australian governments’ climate change policies. The goal was to crowd-source 1000 images from women and non-binary photographers all over Australia. The power of the Petition arises from each image submitted is speaking truth to power and presenting climate change from a personal and culturally diverse perspective. The result will be a powerful social, political statement to the current patriarchal power structures within Australia and therefore advocating on behalf of our Australian land, flora and fauna, indigenous cultures and future generations. The Petition will advance contemporary feminist discourse through photography and activism and shine a light on colonial and patriarchal power structures that have been influential in the climate crisis we face.
The sourcing of 1000 images is key to this project as I wish to interpret the adage that ‘a picture is worth a 1000 words’. This Petition is innovative, in that it is a primarily a collection of images rather than words or signatures. The image gallery will be supported by captions to ensure context and accessibility, once fully operational.
So hence the project events include:
- Women Photographers Australia website gallery,
- At the online presentation at the National Congress of Women Climate Conference on the 30th November, 2021.
- The Launch event at Photoaccess on 10th February 2022.
- The Handover of the Visual Petition in Federation Mall Canberra June 2022. Please Register to come along!
- Submission of the Visual Petition in digital and printed form to the National Library of Australia
This concept is unique, innovative and important in recognising the extensive cultural contribution women photographic artists have made in Australia. Historically and to this day many images that have been commissioned by media organisations or corporate and government stakeholders have often been made by white men. Corporate and government stakeholders have a message they want to tell and a brand they wish to sell so this initiative differs such that women and non-binary people of any ability can submit and the first 1000 images that respond to the theme of the project are accepted.
The projects aim to be collaborative and inclusive, hence the use of the word ‘everyday’. This however, does not mean the images submitted are of a lesser quality or mediocre. The power of the images submitted lie in their intimacy and diversity. This project is designed to be a positive experience, and one that empowers girls , women and non-binary people to be part of a collective voice: albeit visual.
| Present | Spread the word |
| November 2021 | National Congress of Women Conference Presentation of curated images submitted so far. |
| 10th February 2022 | Launch Event Canberra ACT at Photoaccess. |
| Feb-May 2022 | Promotion of May deadline for Petition images |
| May 2nd 2022 | DEADLINE for submitted images |
| Friday 21st May 2022 | DEADLINE for Petition images to be printed |
| June 4th or 5th 2022 | Visual Petition Handover Event Please register to come along!! |
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