Belarus: A Female Perspective
On exhibit at Central Library, August -September 2014
Artist Statement:
This exhibit is intended to provide a photographic glimpse into the talents, achievements, beauty, and grace of the female population of Belarus.
The photographs span several generations of females and reflect a wide range of backgrounds and interests. The individuals featured include a factory worker, World War II veteran, television journalist, museum guide, bride, store clerk, opera singer, folk singers, and library directors.
All of these photographs were taken while I served as Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus. During that period, I traveled to many areas in Belarus where I came in contact with people from many walks of life. I was delighted by the cooperation I received from Belarusians when I asked for permission to photograph them. No one ever said “no.” Even total strangers said “yes.”
I am a photography hobbyist, and people pictures are my passion. I especially enjoy taking photographs of profiles and have included profiles in this exhibit. I believe that the photograph of a profile can reflect a lot about a person — sometimes even more than a photograph showing the front view of the face. Pride. Joy. Intellect. Respect. Enthusiasm. Serenity. Determination. Shyness. Strength. These are among the feelings and traits reflected in the photographs in this exhibit.
Want to buy something you see on our walls? Artists contribute 20% of sales made during their exhibit to the Friends of the Arlington County Public Library, to help support Library programming.
Learn more about Art Exhibits at the Library.
Dian, your sensitivity for bringing out the common threads among such a wide range of the female image is beautiful. I would love to travel through Italy with you, through their vast range of people and places. I love people, and in particular the individual person. Each of us is a unique mirror of our wonderful universe. Your photographs demonstrate the power of that idea through an intimate and spiritual vision.
I appreciate the photographer’s choices for gathering this collection together. The diversity of the types of women photographed and the settings they were photographed in makes for a very interesting and inspirational exhibit.
Melinda Spears, Canada
Such wonderful photographs. They shine a light into a world many of us know little about.
Greetings from Evelyn Hewitt, England
These studies, portraits , of people are truly great photographic art. They should be permanentlt exhibited as such. Virginia Musem of Fine Arts in Richmond is first museum that comes to mind. They need to be carefully preserved for the enduring art they are and will be to future generations!