leekarenstow.com

October-November 2012

A selection of images from 42 has gone up on the walls of WISE (Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation) and new images are currently being added to the exhibition at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. Over in Sierra Leone Francess is carrying out a photographic commission for the Commonwealth, Rebecca is shopping for a printer in order to undertake more school’s photography work (thanks to funds raised), and Gladys has begun her third year at University studying Public Sector Management. Unfortunately, we have received a report from Amnesty that the maternal mortality situation is not improving and that women are still dying needlessly in childbirth. All this goes on whilst I’m deeply involved in photographing the female boxers around the clubs and gyms of Yorkshire, ready for three showings of Girls in the Ring Yorkshire during the Olympic Year. I’m grateful for all the access and time these girls and their trainers/managers are giving me, and to Arts Council England which has supported me since day one. It’s a terrific project to work on. The whole history of Yorkshire is tied up within the walls of these gyms, many of them dating back to the 1940s. I was amazed to see the blood stains of old on the floor of a boxing ring in the bowels of Ernie Oxers club in Mexborough. We’ve had triumphs just lately including: Saira Tabasum from Bradford Police and College ABC has been chosen to carry the Olympic torch through Bradford, and Abbie-Jo Longley from East Hull ABC won her second bout in a show-stopping dramatic performance. The Women’s Championships are coming up in Manchester next month and fingers crossed I’m hoping to spend time in Sheffield to photograph an outstanding Yorkshire lass, Nicola Adams from Leeds, who is Yorkshire’s only female member so far in the GB Olympic team.

Bradford boxer Saira Tabasum - copyright Lee Karen Stow

August 2011

Francess completed a successful and inspiring visit to America, where she took part in a scholarship programme with the Pacific NorthWest Art School on Whidbey Island in Washington State. She studied first with National Geographic photographer Sam Abell, and then with renowned photography teacher Bob Stahl. Huge support and encouragement came from Lisa Bernhardt and family, participants on the photography classes, all at the Compass Rose guest house, our host Carol ‘Hilton’ Harrison, and the Soroptimists of Whidbey Island and Tri-Cities. Thank you everyone from the bottom of two, swollen and happy hearts. Francess headed back to Sierra Leone with more knowledge and optimism about her career and life in photography. Well done, Francess, you are a credit to your yourself and to the women of Africa.

Francess Ngaboh-Smart receives a certificate of achievement from National Geographic photographer Sam Abell.

June

Francess arrived in the UK mid-month for a physically and emotionally demanding, but informative and enjoyable, programme of photography, networking and visiting galleries and photography clubs. She presented slideshow talks on her portfolio ‘Nya Jee Salone’ and also promoted the early beginnings of a new body of work entitled ‘Back 2 Normal?’, which aims to document life in Sierra Leone ten years after the country’s civil war. She delivered talks to a few members of the Tackling Racism group at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool; the Yorkshire Photographer’s Network at the Pop-Up Gallery in Bradford; plus a number of schools and to members of linked churches and the Freetown Society. Francess’ photography grows stronger with each passing year. What she has achieved since picking up the small compact camera in 2007 is remarkable and deserves recognition. Sierra Leone is a beautiful and captivating country, but it is a tough place in which to work, especially for an independent female photographer with dreams, ideas and ambitions. Still, she has overcome obstacles and barriers to become a sought-after professional who is still at the beginning of her career and her life’s journey. Only Francess knows what the future holds for Francess. Well done Sista, well done.

Francess in action

Fund for Francess!

Francess, an emerging female photographer in Sierra Leone, West Africa, has been awarded a scholarship to study at the renowned Pacific NorthWest Arts School on Whidbey Island in Washington State, United States this summer 2011. She will study with National Geographic legend Sam Abell and celebrated instructor Bob Stahl. She has also been offered a place at the Look2011 International Photography Festival Symposium in Liverpool, UK. Francess is one of the women photographers from the grassroots project Women with Cameras (formerly Wilberforce Women) set up in 2007, in conjunction with my 42 documentary project. I am currently raising funds to cover flights and transportation to make Francess’ dream of improving and exposing her beautiful photography a reality. Please help me to make this summer one of learning, exploring and capturing for this creative, talented and passionate 28-year-old who is desperate to improve her art and tell her own story in her own words and images. As a thank you, we will post a signed print from Francess’ body of work Nya Jee Salone (My Mother Sierra Leone) to you, worth £20/$25 plus p&p. Want to help? Just email me on leestow@yahoo.co.uk

February 2011

This month I spent in Florida, USA, with a short trip to Atlanta. A busy, hectic month of presenting talks on the 42 project, and the women of Sierra Leone, networking and making new friends and contacts. I’ve soaked up the sun, the kindness, the encouragement and the feedback from students at New College of Florida, and the Gulf Coast Learners to Leaders group (part of UN Women) in Sarasota and the invaluable advice in technology and photography, given by my friend Patricia. With her unwavering support and generosity I am set up for documentary video, as well as photography stills. What awaits now is another intensive field visit to Africa to film the elegant strength, tenacity, emotion and power of the women. I’m counting the days. I fly back to the UK in time to collect Rebecca Kamara, as she arrives on her first ever airplane flight, from Sierra Leone to London. So many times she has given me shelter, fried fish and rice, an oil lamp and a place to sleep in her village house in Sierra Leone – always on a bed beside her baby son Raymond. Now I shall repay her hospitality. It’ll be a mix of learning, photography, computer training and fun (cinema, eating and shopping). I’ll write more in March, following the opening of ’42’ at the International Slavery Museum. Bye for now. See you soon Rebecca.

Rebecca Kamara, Sierra Leone by Lee Karen Stow