Color photography can trace its earliest roots to Anna Atkins' mid-nineteenth century botanical cyanotypes. While camera-less, her adoption of the process has led many to consider her to be the world's first female photographer.

Curator, historian and artist Ellen Carey's latest exhibition "Women in Colour," on display through September at New York City's Rubber Factory gallery, uses Atkins' legacy to trace the lineage of women working with color photography through present day. Hinging on the recent discovery of tetrachromacy, the hypothesis that women are genetically prone to better discern color than men, Carey uses this exhibition to ask how that might impact female photographers' decision to work in color and hopes to gain recognition for their often under-exposed work. I spoke with Ellen Carey to learn more about the ideas behind her research and exhibition.

Interview by Jon Feinstein

PostedAugust 17, 2017

AuthorJon Feinstein

CategoriesExhibitions, Artists, Galleries

TagsEllen Carey, Women in Colour, Color Photography, Women in Photography, Marion Berlanger, Patty Carroll, Elinor Carucci, Amanda Means, Liz Nielsen, Meghann Riepenhoff, Carrie Mae Weems

In 2008, after participating in a panel discussion for the biennial exhibition 31 Women in Art Photography at Brooklyn's now defunct 3rd Ward, photographers Amy Elkins and Cara Phillips created Women in Photography. The project aimed to provide exhibition and grant opportunities for female photographers outside of the traditional structure of the commercial, often male dominated art world. They collaborated with a range of curators and institutions including The Aperture Foundation, LACMA, MoCP, Leslie Tonkonow, Lightwork, P.P.O.W Gallery, and LTI/Lightside, and were at one point closely integrated into Humble Arts Foundation's programing. After taking a hiatus for a few years in 2013, Elkins and Phillips have returned, alongside curator Megan Charland, offering a range of new programing including a grant and mentorship opportunities for women making photography-based work. Shortly after the relaunch, which includes a stellar exhibition from Whitney Hubbs, I caught up with Elkins and Phillips over email to learn what's in store.

Interview by Jon Feinstein

Scholarly Exhibition Explores the Pioneering Role of Women Using Color in Photography

Women In Photography Relaunches, Offering Grant, Exhibition and Mentorship Opportunities

New Seminar Series: Women Picturing Revolution Examines History With a Radical Lens