Our flesh after fifty

WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE.

The inspiration for the exhibition Flesh after Fifty came about as a result of Professor Martha Hickey’s work in the menopause service.

“Women facing menopause at an early age would often say ‘I’m going to be an old woman’,” explains the professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital.

“Those two words together were the worst thing in the world. Reflecting on myself and the women that I knew and the contribution of older women, I really wanted to change that message.”

Lead curator of the exhibition Jane Scott describes the dilemma and also the delight of this exhibition was attempting to photograph 500 women over the age of 50 in the nude.

“Most of the women would comment and talk about the fact that they were unhappy in their own skin,” she says. “But once they got that off their chest, they started to talk about how proud they were of their bodies for carrying them around, for delivering them the ability to have the life that they now enjoy.”

“In an ageing society, it’s unsustainable to not give full recognition and support to old people,” adds Professor Hickey.

“Women are the larger proportion of older people. Maintaining their physical and mental health is absolutely paramount for us.”

Episode recorded: March 10, 2020.

Interviewer: Dr Andi Horvath.

Producer, audio engineer and editor: Chris Hatzis.

Co-production: Silvi Vann-Wall and Dr Andi Horvath.

The Flesh After Fifty exhibition is on at the Abbotsford Convent, Victoria, Australia, and runs until April 11, 2021. For more information visit the website, fleshafterfifty.com.

Banner: Getty Images.