World class American Photography Exhibition
Anita Corbin, a Somerset-based photographer, attended an exhibition in the American city of San Diego where her portrait of two sisters had been chosen to feature out of a total of 13,000 photographs which were given consideration by Julia Dolan, the Curator of Photography at the Portland Art Museum and judge of The Art of Photography Show.
Anita is one of just 11 UK photographers who featured in the exhibition which is an established and critical force in the world of contemporary photography and runs at the San Diego Art Institute from 12 October – 17 November. Now in its 9th year, this presentation of world class photography featured just 200 photographs which makes the choice of Anita’s portrait ‘Golfing sisters in the ladies’ locker room, Royal Mid-Surrey, April 2010’ even more special.
The portrait has already attracted attention and been on display to the public at the National Portrait Gallery in 2010 featuring as one of 60 portraits out of 6000 images submitted for the prestigious international Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2010.
There was considerable attention from buyers and collectors interested in acquiring the portrait which features a very iconic image of two very “British” sisters who spent some time living in New York with their mother during the Great Depression when they were young teenagers.
Anita explains how she came to choose the subject and photograph the sisters in what was an “unexpected” setting. “I met the octogenarian sisters at my best friend’s father’s funeral at the beginning of 2010, they were so full of life and vitality, I just knew I wanted to photograph them for the documentary section of my ongoing project ‘First Women’. I was inspired by their independence and wanted to capture their zest for life.
“The sisters, who are very private individuals and do not want their names revealed, have been members of their golf club for over 40 years, and in their words they ‘love the game’ so we decided ‘The Mid-Surrey’ should be the venue.I had anticipated that I would make the portrait out on the golf course, it was a beautiful spring evening, but we needed to collect their clubs and shoes, so they took me into the impressive ladies locker room first.”
Anita continues, “As they changed shoes we chatted and I realised that they were more relaxed inside the club, so I asked them if they would pose in front of the mirror. A little unsure at first, they soon agreed and stood confidently next to each other, totally at home in their environment. I have been a photographer for over 30 years and I had a very strong feeling that this set up would be the one – and it was!” The sisters described the sitting as ‘A beautiful interlude after tea’.
The portrait is one of the pivotal images in the documentary section of Anita’s project First Women.
This looks at how women will be remembered over the past 100 years. In the years leading up to 2018, the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage, Anita is shooting and collecting 100 iconic portraits of 21st century women who have achieved the landmark title “First Woman” across a range of fields.
Although her project is primarily looking at women in the UK, Anita hopes to add to the list Marin Alsop, first female conductor of the Last Night of the Proms together with another prominent American in the UK, Angela Ahrendts, first woman to be at the top of Britain’s executive pay league table.
In 2018 Anita will launch the First Women travelling exhibition throughout the UK in celebration of 20th and 21st century women. The exhibition will feature three types of photography: portraiture, documentary and archive and will be linked to an interactive website as well as the publication of a beautiful photographic book. Each unique portrait will feature extended captions and introductory essays.
For further information or to get involved please contact Anita Corbin on 01823 662329 or 07802 61391.
To see more pictures from the exhibition including a surprise visit from Bono, visit the First Women Facebook Page
