30 For 30: Eye a Woman Naked
To celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re featuring items from the PWP Archives* each day on this blog. In looking back, we see not only where we started, but how far photography, women, and the world have come since 1975.
In the 1970s, liberation was in the air. Women were waking up to their power, creativity and rights. They were pouring into the workforce and into professions long dominated by men–like photography.
Graphic for Dianora Niccolini’s exhibition “Eye a Woman Naked Am I” in the 1970s or early 1980s
Eager to promote their own, women photographers began to organize groups and shows. Before PWP, there was was Woman Photographers of New York, founded by Dianora Niccolini, who would become PWP’s first president.
Because there wasn’t a lot of gallery space devoted to photography in the 1970s, exhibitions were often held in offbeat spaces. This show by Women Photographers of New York was held at the Interchurch Center on Riverside Drive:
Women Photographers of New York show press release, 1974
Contact sheet of photos of the show reception (all images ©Darleen Rubin)
The exhibition was reviewed in the Vajority Report:
“Vajority Report” review of “Women See Women” show, inset image by Dianora Niccolini
Tired of being portrayed solely through the male gaze, women photographers and artists were taking a look at themselves and showing new identities more in line with the reality of their lives. Doors long shut were being pushed open…or kicked in.
Dianora Niccolini in 2015 with sign from her earlier show ©C Kirkpatrick
Full press release for Dianora Niccolini’s exhibition Eye a Woman Naked Am I at the Third Eye Gallery on Christopher Street in the 1970s or 80s:
“Eye a Woman Naked Am I” press release
– Catherine Kirkpatrick
*The PWP Archives were acquired by the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, & Rare Book Library of Emory University
Links to all the 30 For 30 Women’s History Month blogs:
Help Me Please! Hopelessly Waiting…
Exhibition and Anger
Spreading the Word
Early Ads On Paper
Cards and Letters
A Lady, a Truck, a Singing Dog
Women of Vision
A Show of Their Own
Taking It To the Street
Sisters of Sister Cities
Sold!
Education and More
Face of a Changing City
Digital Enabling
Expanding Walls and Other Possibilities
A Wonderful Life–Lady Style
Branding–the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The Great Change Sweeps In
PWP Goes Live!
Honoring the Upcoming
Continuity Through Change
Reaching Out
Eye a Woman Naked
Rapidly Multiplying Alternative Options
Women In the World, As Themselves
Kudos!
Friends Who Overcame and Inspired
Reversing the Gaze
Photography and More
Chicks Telling It Like It Is
Looking Back With Thanks