Fast Forward: Women in Photography

Following a lively panel discussion about the role of women photographers, both historical and current, led at Tate Modern in 2014, a two-day conference was organised to explore the complex and dynamic evolution of the history of women in photography, from early commercial practices, to the impact of World War II on women and their work, to reframing the role of the archive. 

Fast Forward: Women in Photography was held between the 6 - 7 January 2015 at the Tate Modern, with speakers considering both national and international discussions about women in the history of photography, and presenting some of the latest research and debates in the field.

The conference was a precursor to a larger research initiative that was designed to promote and engage with women in photography across the globe. Fast Forward: Woman in Photography aims to provoke new debate and ensure that we are in the news and in the history books. Now the world of photography is frequented by millions of female photographers, they believe "now is the time to arrest the process of forgetting that so frequently erases women from the burgeoning histories of photography and shed light on new ways of thinking, showing, discussing and distributing our work".

Organisers

Val Williams

Val Williams is a UAL professor of the History and Culture of Photography at London College of Communication and an editor of the journal Photography & Culture. She is a writer and curator whose exhibition projects have included How We Are (Tate Britain, 2007) and whose book projects include Martin Parr: Photographs 1972-. In 1986 Virago published her pioneering study of women's photography in Britain: The Other Observers and in 1996 IB Tauris issued her Illuminations: Women's Writing on Photography (co-edited with Liz Heron). She curated Women's Photography in Britain for the National Museum of Photography in 1986, with a subsequent showing at The Photographer's Gallery, London. Val is a co-organiser of Fast Forward: Women in Photography.

Anna Fox

Anna Fox is an internationally renowned photographer and Professor of Photography at University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. In 2010 she was shortlisted for the prestigious Deustche Börse Prize and her latest projects, Resort 2 and Loisirs are published by Schilt, Amsterdam and Diaphane, Beauvais. Anna is a co-organiser of Fast Forward: Women in Photography.

Sarah Jeans

Sarah Jeans is Head of School for Film, Media & Performing Arts at the University of the Creative Arts and was previously a documentary producer/director. Besides running a large media school, she is involved in a number of high profile international collaborations and has initiated projects supporting women working in media. Sarah is a co-organiser of Fast Forward: Women in Photography.

Maria Kapajeva

Maria Kapajeva is an Estonian artist based in London. Her work has been shown internationally including the most recent shows in Bangladesh, New Zealand and Estonia. Her work is created at FATHOM residency in Four Corners & Film (London) and will be exhibiting there from October 28th 2015. Also, she is a Fellow of HEA, teaches at University of the Creative Arts in Farnham. Maria is a co-organiser of Fast Forward: Women in Photography.

Fast Forward: Women in Photography Conference, Tate Modern, 6 -7 November 2015

Speakers and Topics

Challenging Histories and Identities

Anna Tellgren, Agneta Ekman, Eva Klasson and Tuija Lindströlm - Three Photographers, Three Strategies.

This paper discussed the role of women photographers in the history of Swedish photography after World War II and places them in an international context of feminist artists. The works of three prominent Swedish women photographers were presented, and the paper asked the question: What different strategies have these photographers used to explore questions around sexuality, the body and femininity?

Anna Tellgren, PhD, is Curator of Photography and Research leader at Moderna Museet in Stockholm. She has curated numerous exhibitions including Francesca Woodman. On Being an Angel (2015). Tellgren was the editor of The History Book: On Moderna Museet 1958-2008 (2008) and is Associate Editor of Konsthistorisk Tidskrift.Journal of Art History.