HEROINE
‘A woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for her
brave deeds and noble qualities’.
The lives of countless heroine’s have been hidden from history, manipulated
and disregarded by colonial powers and men who sought their power.
This project hopes to re-imagine the stories of female Monarchs, women whose voices
I feel deserve a greater vessel than most historical platforms provide.
For me, there is no time more opportune than now to retell the stories of
these innovative, immensely powerful women, early feminists who stood
up and fought for what they believed in to move closer to equality.
They faced the gender stereotypes that affect abuse, disease, conflict,
unemployment and poverty, the same issues women are
fighting against today.
To be apart of this conversation I created most of this project in South Africa,
where gender equality is at the forefront of political conversation.
I was humbled to speak with courageous women from all different walks of life
and generations about their experiences of being a woman and
what they were campaigning to change.
These conversations affected the work I was making and will become
a tangible part of the project in the future.
‘Heroine’ is about celebrating the lives of wonderful women and hopefully in
doing so, empowering today’s women to strive for what makes them happy
and use their voices to inflict change.
EMPRESS THEODORA
6th C Byzantine Constantinople
Theodora grew to be an actress and dancer in the hippodromes of Constantinople. She was a child prostitute and experienced several abortions before giving birth as a young girl.
Theodora met Emperor Justinian when she was 21, the unconditional love they shared for one another proving to be the turning point for women of the recently established Byzantine Era.
Theodora used her power to help women who also lived lives
of poverty and vulnerability.
She housed prostitutes and achieved legislation which prohibited forced prostitution and banished brothels. Theodora developed women’s marriage and dowry rights, altering divorce laws to be more favorable to women.
She influenced anti-rape legislation and supported the many young girls being sold into sexual slavery and secured mothers
guardianship over their children.
Her infamous displays of courage against the issues women face today make her a great, timeless inspiration.
The project's first Monarch was inspired by Byzantine Empress Theodora, who was majestically portrayed by my sister Josie & created in England. Please find an introduction to her story by clicking on the next image & find the rest of the series shot in South Africa under 'Monarchs'.
