I haven't been able to get near the darkroom recently, so here is something to keep y'all amused for the time being. I mentioned visiting the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead a while back, where there was a terrific exhibition of the work of Franki Raffles. Photography, Activism, Campaign Works explored her output over a period of 10 years (1984-94) and captured (according to the blurb) how women face life's challenges with resilience and humour. She also focussed attention on male violence against women, on disability and on the displacement caused by migration. Big stuff. And my goodness was she prolific - puts the rest of us to shame. Well, puts me to shame anyway. Franki Raffles passed away in 1994 at the age of 39 while giving birth to twin daughters - you can read more about her, and the exhibition, by clicking here.
Here are some phone snaps of her work in the exhibition. At least we had one thing in common, Franki Raffles and I. Ilford HP5. Mind you, I think that's where the commonality ends.
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It's interesting looking at her work around the run-down council estates, where there are lots of kids present. That sort of work isn't so easy to do now, I reckon. For a start, you'd better be careful pointing a camera anywhere near children these days. Also, a lot of run-down areas are just no longer safe places for outsiders to wander around - especially if carrying a camera.
