Women of the North: Photographs capturing life on the fringes

14 June 2018

Amber Film & Photography Collective have been documenting marginalised lives in the North East for over five decades. Their Women by Women show, part of the Great Exhibition of the North, showcases their images with women on both sides of the lens.

Aimee and her friend get ready to go out, County Durham. From the series All Dressed Up, 2005 | © Karen Robinson

Idea of North at Gateshead's BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art brings together a number of projects reflecting on a proud Northern identity.

The guest-curated displays include Women by Women, a major presentation developed by photographer and filmmakers Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen and Ellin Hare, both founding members of Amber Film & Photography Collective, alongside Carlota González Miguez.

Amber was formed in 1968 and its members have focused on documenting working class and marginalised lives and landscapes in North East England for the past five decades.

Their presentation focuses on the representation of women and girls, with works by female photographers Marketa Luskacova, Tish Murtha, Karen Robinson, Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen and Isabella Jedrzejczyk offering visibility to artists and subjects that have not historically been given the same platform as their male counterparts.

Women by Women is part of the group show Idea of North at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead until 30 September 2018.

The Great Exhibition of the North, which runs from 22 June to 9 September 2018, celebrates the North of England’s pioneering spirit with a programme of exhibits, live performances and new artworks.

Three venues - BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Sage Gateshead and Great North Museum - act as hubs for the exhibition and there are trails themed by art, design and innovation exploring Newcastle and Gateshead.

Opening ceremony

BBC Arts and BBC North East present live coverage on Friday 22 June.

Melissa, Carly Jo and Sarah, Thornley, County Durham. summer 2004. From the series All Dressed Up, 2005 | © Karen Robinson

From the series Jungle Portraits, 1981 | © Isabela Jedrzejczyk

From the series Jungle Portraits, 1981 | © Isabela Jedrzejczyk

Gnana and her daughter Kavi, 2003. From the series Byker Revisited, 2009 | © Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen

Girl on a Spacehopper, 1971. From the series Byker, 1970s | © Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen

Whitley Bay, August 1978. From the series Writing in the Sand (1970s-90s) | © Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen

BBC News on the Great Exhibition of the North
Great Exhibition of the North (getnorth2018.com)
Amber (www.amber-online.com)

Whitley Bay, June 1989. From the series Writing in the Sand (1970s-90s) | © Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen

Tynemouth, September 1978. From the series Writing in the Sand (1970s-90s) | © Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen

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