HeadStrong: The Women of Uganda
March 5 – April 2, 2022
HeadStrong presents a cross-section of working women in rural Uganda who share their individual stories of perseverance, determination, family commitment, and hope This project brings to light the conditions under which women living in rural Uganda find themselves suspended between the old world, gender-defined responsibilities, rapid population growth, and financial obstacles to education for girls
The women are often caught in a double bind They must earn money to pay for their children’s education; schooling could ensure a way out of economic hardship, but they often do not earn enough money to fulfill this essential goal And yet, they remain hopeful, as witnessed in their postures, words, and dreams.
Knowing that each woman had a compelling story to tell, aware of my outsider status, I partnered with Beatrice Lamwaka, an award-winning Ugandan author Lamwaka interviewed each portrait subject in her local dialect; She then wrote narratives to accompany the images, maintaining vernacular cadence and expressions without modifying them for Western audiences In conjunction with the portraits, their stories help us better understand their personal histories and present challenges.
In the portraits, the women express themselves through their demeanor and personal choices of work clothing and accessories The mosquito netting backdrop creates a protective environment for these women, allowing the eye to rest entirely on the subject without being distracted by elements in their chaotic background Their direct gaze powerfully conveys their sense of self and ownership in presenting themselves to the viewer while allowing the viewer to engage with the subject in a meaningful way.
Dan Nelken (American, born Tel-Aviv, Israel, b. 1946) is a photographer, visual artist, educator, and documentary storyteller whose portrait-based photographic projects provide a window into the world of communities outside the cultural mainstream.
His portraits aspire to accentuate each person’s individuality while providing contextual references to communities, cultures, and rituals. His ongoing, award-winning project, HeadStrong: The Women of Rural Uganda, exemplifies his commitment to this theme as does his prior major work, Till The Cows Come Home: County Fair Portraits.
A veteran studio-based advertising and editorial photographer, Nelken has received numerous domestic and international awards. His work has been exhibited and published widely and is included in museums and private collections.
