South Coast photographer Elise Searson (below) is one of 100 female photographers chosen for a special exhibition for International Women's Day.
Elise, from Batemans Bay, was chosen as one of the artists included in the Loud and Luminous national photography exhibition recognising and celebrating the contribution of contemporary women in the photographic arts in Australia.
The project is designed to empower the girls and women of today and tomorrow to chase in their dreams helping to educate and inspire many women of all ages. At its core, the Loud and Luminous project states it is all about gender equality in the photographic arts andindustry. Organisers say "It is designed to be a celebration of the important contributions the stories female artists bring to Australian culture but it is also about their ongoing battle to be heard—and recognised—in a traditionally male dominated industry. "If the general public were asked to list influential and iconic Australian photographers from the last 100 years, the list would include very few female photographers. Loud and Luminous aims to reverse this. "Overwhelmingly men have written history, men have made art, galleries have collected art made by men, and until recently photographers were mostly male. The digital revolution has enabled many more people to create imagery. "More women now graduate from vocational courses and art school than their male counterparts, and yet are still less likely to be represented.In a proactive first step to address this issue, Loud and Luminous showcases the works of 100 Australian female photographers to create a new cultural story in Australia that puts women in the spotlight, both in front and behind the camera." Loud and Luminous will be launched in Canberra on International Women’s Day. The exhibition and book launch will be held in Sydney in April and May.
Elise told the Beagle "The theme for the project is ‘power’. My artwork focuses on Motherhood."
"Loud and Luminous is an inspiring project for artists of all ages and stages in their careers and I am incredibly proud to be taking part. VIDEO: The Loud and Luminous project is all about gender equality in the photographic arts industry. It is designed to be a celebration of the important contributions the stories female artists bring to Australian culture but it is also about their ongoing battle to be heard—and recognised—in a traditionally male dominated industry. If the general public were asked to list influential and iconic Australian photographers from the last 100 years, the list would include very few female photographers. Loud and Luminous aims to reverse this. Overwhelmingly men have written history, men have made art, galleries have collected art made by men, and until recently photographers were mostly male. The digital revolution has enabled many more people to create imagery. More women now graduate from vocational courses and art school than their male counterparts, and yet are still less likely to be represented. In a proactive first step to address this issue, Loud and Luminous showcases the works of 100 Australian female photographers to create a new cultural story in Australia that puts women in the spotlight.
VIDEO: Loud and Luminous 2019
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Elise is an Australian based photographer with a main focus in story telling. She has completed a Bachelor in Photography at Griffith University/Queensland College of Art with work exhibited internationally and nationally. Upon completion of her degree, Elise secured work as a staff photographer for News Ltd and is now working as a freelance journalist and photographer in Batemans Bay, NSW. She is published in Quest Newspapers print and online, Courier Mail print and online, FOX Sport online, news.com.au and Brisbane News, The Daily Examiner Family. Life., Syracuse University , book and online publication New York Times Lens blog for Family. Life. Project KULTURNE Magezine, czech republic, editorial LUCID online magazine, australia, interview for derivé awards IRIS Portrait Award 2018, finalist 'PX3 Paris Photo' 2018, Bronze award, portrait category 'Moscow International Foto Awards', awarded honourable mention, portrait category 'Olive Cotton Portrait award' 2015, judges highly commended 'College Photographer of the Year' 2015, Bronze award, portrait category exhibitions Iris Portrait Award, group exhibition, Perth Centre of Photography 'Moscow International Foto Awards', group exhibition, Art Gallery NaKashirke, Moscow 'IN-SITU', group exhibition, MAUD Gallery, Brisbane '10 A Colab', group exhibition, Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad 'FLOAT', group exhibition, Brisbane Powerhouse 'Olive Cotton Portrait Award', group exhibition, Tweed Regional Gallery 'Everyone Has a Story', group exhibition, Wesley House, Wesley Mission Brisbane Husite Museum and UMAUMA gallery, group exhibition, Czech Republic Kotnov Urban Festival, group exhibition, Czech Republic Studio BANK, trans art symposium, Warsaw Derivé, roup exhibition, project gallery, Queensland College of Art education Master of Communications; Journalism major, Deakin University 2013-2015 Bachelor of Photography; Photojournalism major/Documentary/International Collaboration, Queensland College of Art
