In Praise Of Older Women
Contributing Photographer Chris Kelly sent me this glorious collection of her pictures of older women, some from the East End and many from 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
What a splendid collection of photos- there is much life and love and laughter in them-
I like them all but would especially love to give the Polish farmer with the milk jug a big hug.
Cheers
Deby
As an ex-Sheffielder it’s nice to see SPAG in full force!
Lovely pictures. What a nice thing to celebrate. I’m very nearly an older woman and it’s good to see some beautiful examples of what I’m heading for. Thanks 🙂
Truly wonderful collection of photographs , capturing the essence of the older women from all walks of life , thankyou , Eileen
Wonderful! I have a deep respect for these women, who have worked hard a lifetime long and done a great deal. They remind me of my mother, who is 83 now…
ACHIM
Lovely, lovely work; so too the other links. Made me smile… what more can you want for the day!
Mary Christmas – Fantastic!
These make me happy to head towards old age. The ladies in the community garden look so happy. I particularly love the photo of the lady having a cuppa and a fag, she reminds me of my late Aunty Meg who was eccentric and very, very funny.
A worthy collection! so endearing.
How beautiful. Thank God for women. xxx