Wise Women: A Celebration of Their Insights, Courage, and Beauty - Softcover

Tenneson, Joyce

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0821228188 ISBN 13: 9780821228180

Publisher: Bulfinch, 2002

Synopsis

In ancient times older women were the keepers of primal mysteries and were revered for their special wisdom: today there is a feeling that our culture is reawakening to the power of our elders. Joyce Tenneson presents 80 portraits of women aged 65 to 100, who comment on their experiences of ageing.

About this title

About the Author:

I don't really understand why I became a photographer. If I examine my early memories, I realize I never dreamed of the kind of life I have now. I never knew any artists or creative people. I was surrounded by people who didn't dare to dream. I feel privileged to have somehow, miraculously, leapt over this "no dream" barrier and to have had the opportunity to explore and develop my artistic talents. All this sounds pretentious on paper, but what I'm trying to say is that I came from a family whose major life goal was to be completely selfless — a "good person." Unfortunately, although these are worthwhile objectives, for my family they precluded personal growth. I believe it is this suppression of personal aspirations that caused my mother to die of cancer at a young age. Watching this as a child, I decided that I didn't want a similar destiny. Somehow, early on, I separated from my family. I had a secret kingdom of my own, the world of my imagination. This is where I felt happy. It was also a place where I went when I felt lonely or inspired, or filled with life. Perhaps I was lucky not to have had role models, for I created my own visual world with absolute no self-conscience. I just trusted that if I were true to my deeper instincts, that sooner or later the work would have some value. I always enjoyed creating beauty where it never existed and I've had a simultaneous desire to invite others into this world. Photography has been a way for me to communicate with others — to share my visions, my anxieties, my perceptions and my emotions, all at the same time! For some photography is a documentary tool, a way of recording exterior reality. For me it is a kind of visual diary, a way of symbolically recreating inner emotional states of being, parts of my life. I've never had to discipline myself to work. On the contrary, I am most happy when I am creating something new. I love to be around beautiful things, but I do not like surface, unthinking, predictable beauty. That bores and irritates me. What thrills me is pushing out and finding something new, strange and wonderful, even if at times it is disturbing as well. When I work, I try to open myself and then let the unconscious take over, letting go of measured time. I love having images emerge and surprise me when they appear in the camera's lens. Despite the frustrations and hard work, I cannot imagine another life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bulfinch
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0821228188
• ISBN 13: 9780821228180
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144