The exhibition Women by Women—which opened at Kahmann Gallery in Amsterdam on June 19—featured work by both widely known photographers and talents with a select fan base. Participating artists included Carla van de Puttelaar, Laura Hospes, Justine Tjallinks, Costanza Gastaldi, Marianna Rothen, Sara Punt, Chantal Elisabeth Ariëns, Linelle Deunk, and Ata Kandó.
They focused on exploring the female body, in contrast to the dominant male gaze that often leads contemporary art culture. The works were not shaped by sexualization and centered on body positivity, offering a liberating perspective for both subject and audience.
Emancipation and Photography in Retrospect
Photography and emancipation are closely intertwined. In the nineteenth century, Western women could study photography because working outside the home was becoming more common and the medium had no ties to male-dominated art academies. The camera became a symbol of self-determination and gave women opportunities for personal development. At the same time, photography also contributed to the sexualization of the female body.
In the years that followed, women remained crucial to the development of this artistic medium and related art movements. Class, race, and gender inequality were prevailing areas of tension. From the nineties onward, photography became a leading medium in the art world and women gained greater visibility, yet their work remains underrepresented in national collections.
Women by Women - Kahmann Gallery
Lindengracht 35, 1015 KB Amsterdam
Run: June 19 through August 29, 2021
Visitors could reserve a time slot through kahmanngallery.com; admission was free.
