In Praise Of Older Women
Contributing Photographer Chris Kelly sent me this glorious collection of her pictures of older women from the East End and elsewhere, entitled In Praise Of Older Women after the book by the Hungarian writer Stephen Vizinczey.
“Iʼve taken many pictures of inspirational women over the years but these are among the ones that make me smile the most,” Chris told me, “I know nothing about the private lives of the people in these photographs, I only know that the characters were strong, determined and fun to be with.”
Peggy Metaxas & Rosie, Whitechapel, 2013
Members of All Saints Dance Club, Poplar, 2003
Members of All Saints Dance Club, Poplar, 2003
Older people from France on an exchange visit to Kent, 1993
Older people from France on an exchange visit to Kent, 1993
Kazia Cander, farmer, Northern Poland, 1984
Kazia Cander, farmer, Northern Poland, 1984
Community Centre, Southwick, East Sussex, 1985
Members of Maidstone CND at Greenham Common, 1983
Irene Livermore & Mary Christmas, Wapping Pensionersʼ Group, St Peterʼs Centre, 2003
Spectator at National Carriage Driving Championships, Windsor, 1983
Queenie Baxter, Connors House, Canterbury, 1993
Sheffield Pensioners Action Group at a rally in Manchester, 1988
Sheffield Pensioners Action Group at a rally in Manchester, 1988
Sheffield Pensioners Action Group member sells copies of Senior Citizen
Sheffield Pensioners Action Group members dress up to commemorate eighty years of Old Age Pensions
Spectators at Ascot Races, 1983
Fernande Bressy, wine producer, Rhône Valley, 1991
Irish Emma leading the bingo at St. Patrickʼs, Wapping
Methodist Centre, Bethnal Green, 2003
Bridie Murphy and Warden Anne Baine, Twinbrook Estate, Belfast, 1989
Anwara Begum, Cable St Community Gardens, 2012
Balkis Karim, Cable St Community Gardens, 2012
Administrator at North London Community Centre, 1998
Photographs copyright © Chris Kelly
You may like to take a look at these other photographs by Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly’s Columbia School Portraits 1996
Chris Kelly’s Cable St Gardeners
Great photos! We oldies still have a lot to offer! Valerie
Excellent pictures!
I remember SPAG – they came to everything!
I’ve enjoyed all the various portraits over the weeks, but perhaps because I am an older woman myself, I especially enjoyed these. Great stuff!
A bonanza of beauty. Fernande Bressy stopped me dead in my tracks. This photo is SO compelling, I felt that I had just come upon Ms. Bressy on that rural pathway and was about to exchange greetings with her. I imagine the reflection in her glasses, the fortitude of her pose, her strong hands rubbing the wooden cane, a roguish chuckle. How I would love to know her story.
Wonderful!
Thank you, GA, for this bit of positive reinforcement. It was the little boost that this older woman needed before facing students this morning. TGIF!
Such a lovely mix of women from different social and ethnic groups and decades. So good to celebrate older women, so often overlooked.
I think the French women in Kent are on the East Pier in Ramsgate. More of a harbour wall walk than an actual pier but a bracing and enjoyable stroll with great views of Ramsgate.
I just got a moment to look at these wonderful photographs–makes me happy to be getting old!