Through My Eyes
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What happens when 40 women living in rural India in the traditional society have the opportunity to explore photography for the first time with the intention of capturing images of their lives?
Through My Eyes is a project that teaches women photography as a new creative medium in order to broaden their perspective and offer a medium for sharing their lives.
Filmmaker Mary Lukasiewicz first visited India in 2010 and was immediately enraptured by the vibrance and visual richness of the holy city, Varanasi. Visiting her friend Uschi Gibson, and the Women’s Empowerment Unit she was cultivating in outlying rural areas, Mary was inspired to find a way to contribute to the women’s community.
In the Spring of 2014, Mary set out to conduct basic photography workshops to the women of the various village communities. These workshops were crafted with the intention of both giving women a new form of expression and giving Mary a unique, intimate window into their lives. Through image and discussion, the photos allowed for a wonderful bridge between language and culture.
Over 5000 photos were taken by the women and the results were profound and poignant. Ranging from snap-shots of home and family life to grand sweeping landscapes to photos of local, iconic characters and sites, it was incredible how quickly the women embraced this new medium of expression. Their images give unique glimpses into their lives and dramatically share their stories via the language of photography.
The Through My Eyes exhibition will be held at Gallery 525 from October 14 - 21, 2014, after which the photographs will be on display at Lulu Bhanda's International Ojai Yoga Crib Headquarters and Venues located throughout Ojai Valley October 23 - 26. http://www.lulubandhas.com/yoga/crib
Forty women from the Unit for Women's Empowerment participated in the Through My Eyes Photography Project.
Poonam has 5 children, including a son who is blind. He is an amazing Tablas player, and she took many beautiful pictures of him. She is so proud. Poonam also weaves fishing nets, as her husband is a fisherman. She used to walk miles to market each day with a basket of fish on her head to sell after she was done working at the UWE each day, but just recently got a job working at the Silai center as well, and doesn't have to go to market after work anymore.
Sunaina has a young son, Ravi, with MS. Because of her work in the UWE, she is now able to afford to send him to a school for special needs children. This school has a bus that takes Ravi to school in the mornings, helping Sunaina to get to work on time. He has had to start over at the first grade due to absences, but is so grateful for the opportunity. Sunaina is so proud of her son and it showed in the beaming photos she took of him as a part of the workshop.
Anjani is 18 years old. She has four sisters and three brothers, and her grandfather heads the household. He encourages her to be kind to peopleand live her life without hurting anyone.
She went to school just until fifth grade, and although she wishes that she had continued her studies, her age makes it difficult to start in again. Anjani has enrolled in a beauticians course and hopes to work at a beauty parlour after she graduates.
She went to school just until fifth grade, and although she wishes that she had continued her studies, her age makes it difficult to start in again. Anjani has enrolled in a beauticians course and hopes to work at a beauty parlour after she graduates.
The Unit for Women's Empowerment offers income-generating, skilled work for women in order to educate and empower them, help their families and increase their self-esteem. Living in the village of Sarai Mohana and surrounding villages outside of Varanasi, they range from early teens just learning to sew to experienced women who have been sewing/weaving all their lives. Most have at least a high school education, and many are also working to support their college education. Many are married and have several children. www.luckyuschi.com
