The VIEW Magazine CiC 

Presents

Rebel Justice Podcasts : Episode 2: The Relationship Between The Photographer And Subject.

The View's Eleanor speaks to activist Jen Reid, photographers Harry Borden,Jenny Baptiste, and  mental health campaigner Sue  Wheatcroft  about their experiences on both sides of the camera.

Our second episode is about the experience on both sides of the camera between art and activism. The Someone’s Daughter project takes photographs of women who have been involved in the criminal justice system. Survivors, lawyers and activist women who were interested in the process from charge and arrest to incarceration through to rehabilitation who are engaging in a dialogue around justice reform for women.  So, we dive into photography as a subject that moves away from the world of high fashion, shaping ordinary people and creating stunning images by telling powerful stories. True photography is about documenting real human interaction and deriving an intrinsic pleasure from the process of taking photographs, rather than using photographic techniques to give people a stamp of approval. No matter how confident a person may be, staring into a camera is a privileged experience. This sometimes can feel like it exposes our weakness, but the photographer will capture that soft side. 

Harry Boden says: "I think I've learned a lot from taking photographs because before I took them I didn't realise it was about getting inside people, not just the outside." Photographers realise that photographs need to capture the heart and mind, and not just the external image. As a photographer, making connections and producing personal images with people is vital, says Jenny Baptiste, "Because I can't afford film, I have to train my eye so it knows that I can't shoot rolls of film. I wanted to get another side of their personality in the images I selected and bring in who they were, which was very personal." 

Photographers approach the concept of image creation sympathetically, as they develop the image to gain a more personal image. 

Harry says, "Photography reflects my development as a person. Initially I would focus more on technique, but as I continued to change I focused more on creating an emotional impact with the photographs".

Personality is expressed through the eyes, like the black, militaristic mask in the photograph of Sue Wheatcroft, demonstrating strength and determination. 

During the Global Covid Pandemic photography was a huge challenge. Throughout this time Harry shifted the focus of his photography, which required a human connection, to personal work.

Intimate portraits of single fathers, and stories of love, loss and the healing power of family. This period of lockdown allowed for experimentation in finding alternative ways of communicating and very creative ways of thinking. Making people aware that there are many other things to do in life, such as caring more about family and parents.

More on Someone’s Daughter here.

With thanks to all our panellists and the many people who made Someone’s Daughter possible. The campaign continues, globally, so watch our social media for dates and further announcements.

© The View Magazine 2021

Narration and Questions by Eleanor, edited by Holly McVe. 

Produced by The View Magazine 

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Episode 1: Can Art Change The World?

The View Magazine CiC 

Presents

Rebel Justice Podcasts : Episode 1: Can Art Change The World? 

Featuring

Clare Barstow, activist, former prisoner

Andy West, Philosophy in Prison

Sue Ecclestone, Hollybush Art Prize for Women, artist and curator

Jen Reid, activist and campaigner

Rebel Justice Podcast's  Episode 1 is  a panel from our Someone's Daughter  portrait exhibition at  Photo London in September 2021. Clare Barstow (artist, writer and survivor), Andy West (Philosophy in Prison), Sue Ecclestone (Hollybush Art Prize for Women, magistrate), and Jen Reid (artist, curator, activist and campaigner) discuss the importance of art as a campaigning platform. Someone's Daughter, is our exhibition of portraits of women with lived experience of the criminal justice system in conjunction with those who are women activists, artists, leaders or those who want to raise awareness of the issues and the need for reform. They discuss whether art can change the world in terms of equality and justice.

 Art, in its many forms, is used as self-expression, and therefore is key for people from different spheres of life to engage and communicate. It's inspiring for other marginalised women to see that they can also create roles for themselves in politics, justice, art and media. The View is raising important  issues, which can have an impact and change the way people think and how people see things, it also gives women a voice. People learn a lot by seeing through your eyes and it does change their views and opinions.

 Through combining art with activism. There is an urgent need to reform the criminal justice system and other issues that might be associated with it.

Through pictures we can see portraits of people as well their stories in text, this can allow the audience to engage and hopefully take away a better understanding of people. depicting a richer version of who she is and how she can be shown to the world through her creativity, in a more authentic fashion.

 Clare Barstow says, "I think art … is a very peaceful, but a very powerful way of engaging people. It inspires dialogue, it's encouraging, it's inspiring, it's another great way to communicate and there's no language barrier there."

However sexism in the art world also exists, where Sue Ecclestone mentions how, when you look at exhibitions around the world, 29% are exhibitions with female artists, and in reality we need many more female artists

 We keep trying to support gender balance, such as the Women's Intellectual Property Awards, and this soft radicalism is trying to change the world a little bit. People are building access to different networks and allowing more inclusivity which is a powerful message in itself.

Andy West says how during the impact of COVD has had a negative impact in prison regarding access to institutions. However, Jen Reid mentions how the use of online tools, has improved inclusivity and art created through online mediums can be used in exhibitions now. Circumstances such as COVID can cause a backslide, however it is down to the individual and is out purpose to keep the momentum and conversation alive.

So can art change the world? In closing statement, it is widely accepted as yes. Visual arts can affect the model, artist as well as he audience. It is a very democratic in the sense that as it does not tell people how to think, but its purpose is to raise awareness/shock or compel people to see things differently, or have a new perspective.

Different exhibitions and

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