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 is to crowd-source 1000 images from women and non-binary photographers all over Australia. The power of the Petition arises from each image presenting climate change from a personal and culturally perspective 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.
The ANU INSTITUTE FOR CLIMATE, ENERGY & DISASTER SOLUTIONS Climate Update is in February 2022 and the ANU have proposed that all ACT galleries show show work that responds to the environment and climate change.
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.
- To be listed as part of the ACT AQUIFER program which is an ACT territory wide program of exhibitions and events in conjunction with the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions to have artists, arts organisations and galleries committing to a dialogue about climate change in February 2022.
- The launch of the NewCity.art Virtual exhibition on the 10th February 2022
- The Handover of the Visual Petition in Federation Mall Canberra June 2022.
- 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. |
| December 2021 | Invitations sent out to participating photographers to attend the February Event. |
| 10th February 2022 | Launch Event Canberra ACT at Photoaccess. (Rain date is 17th February) |
| Feb-May 2022 | Promotion of May deadline for Petition images |
| Friday May 13th 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 |
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