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Returning the gaze: Masks are displayed at the exhibition. — VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tung |
HA NOI — An exhibition entitled The Last Mask featuring the photos, masks and stories of 24 women who have experienced domestic violence is on display at Ha Noi. The 49 photos taken by photographer Jamie Maxtone-Graham portray the women who are all members of clubs set up by the Centre for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents (CSAGA).
The Last Mask project was conceived by Paul Zetter of Ensemble Creatives, a long time creative partner of CSAGA, as a way of helping women to find creative expression for their stories and experiences that seek to engage, not alienate, new audiences so a better understanding of domestic violence and the issues around it can be built up in society.
Over three days in January, a group of 24 women from the clubs told stories, sang songs, played theatre games and made masks helped by a group of young artists.
When the masks were complete, photographer Jamie Maxtone Graham then took portrait photos including the masks so that the women made up one chain of experience, solidarity and togetherness.
"Like their stories, these women are all unique but they have this thing they share and are united in it – both in their experience of domestic violence and in their admission of it. That admission, that is the really difficult work," said the photographer.
On the wall the viewers see photographs of the women and their masks. At one end, an open hand is extended; at the other end, a mask. And in between there are 24 women, 24 stories and innumerable lives.
Some, as people can see, conceal their faces behind their mask. Perhaps they can tell why or people can guess. Some peer out a bit from behind, half hidden, partially revealed. And then there are the women who are not concealed in any way.
"This was a fairly quick project made with a group of highly committed, creative people from four different countries, 24 amazing Vietnamese women who have experienced often extreme gender violence and a very small budget," said project designer Paul Zetter.
"We hope it brings people together in a space where they feel safe to reveal what's really important to them," he said.
The exhibition will run until Friday, at 45 Trang Tien Street, Ha Noi. — VNS