Photo Exhibition

Women Across Borders

This exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives and stories of women from diverse cultures and backgrounds across the world. From Turkey, Iran, and Morocco to Georgia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Netherlands, and the United States, these photographs capture the unique, yet universal, experiences of women.

Each image tells a story—of strength, resilience, tradition, and transformation. Whether through a candid moment in a bustling market, a quiet reflection in nature, or a cultural celebration, these women reveal the many layers of identity, struggle, and hope that unite us all.

Through this collection, I hope to invite you into their worlds, to witness their beauty, their challenges, and their stories, which transcend borders and remind us of our shared humanity.

                                                                                    Elif BOZKURT

In the narrow mud-brick alleyways of Yezd in Iran, where desert sand forms the foundation of mud-brick architecture, I encountered a woman whose face reflected hope despite the heat wave and the enveloping black veil which is a necessity of Islamic regime, 2017.

Amidst the lively ambiance of a Turkish market, a walnut farmer patiently awaits customers. Unlike henna, the colour adorning her hands is derived from the natural pigment of crushed walnut shells, reflecting the labour and dedication in her livelihood, 2010.

ln Vietnam, the enclosed marketplace where women from various ethnic groups produce and sell handicrafts is quite renowned. Some sew at machines; others ornament fabrics with needles, while some carefully sort colourful ropes. Many have hands painted with natural dyes from plants. Amidst the marketplace, a girl child from the Hmong ethnic group, likely caring for her sibling as her mother tends to her handicrafts, embodies resilience beyond her years, 2018.

In the mountainous village of Ushguli in Georgia, women of the highland carry water from the Enguri River that flows amidst the mountains, accompanied by a loyal dog walking closely behind them. This peaceful scene encapsulates the timeless harmony between women and nature, echoing through the rugged terrain of the Caucasus, 2017.

In a small town in Morocco, two women engage in a heart-to-heart conversation after shopping at the local market in 2018. Within a societal framework influenced by Islamic norms, the identities of women are constrained within the boundaries of their traditional dress.

Reflecting on a day's work, a resilient female farmer makes her journey homeward after selling all her products in her wicker basket at the local market, embodying the determination and persistence deeply rooted within Turkish women farming communities, 2010.

On the eve of Halloween celebrated in Virginia, USA, a sorrowful witch roams the streets. With only her broom missing from her hand, she embodies a melancholy presence amidst the festivities, casting a mysterious aura that transcends the year, 2019.

Amidst the rustic landscapes of Laos, a young girl tends to the cultivation of vegetables in her family's garden, her tiny body compared against a woven basket towering as tall as herself, capturing a scene of innocence and labour intertwined, 2018.

The Maastricht Carnival of 2024 captivates with its vibrant costumes, makeup, and colours, yet amidst the festive atmosphere, a woman's gaze carries a hint of sadness, adding an impactful layer to the lively celebrations.

In Thailand, famous for its fishing, as the darkness of the night begins to envelop the Ta Pi River, two fisher women continue to fish in solidarity. Showing no signs of fatigue from the day, their fishing actions resemble a graceful dance, 2018.

A native woman in Chefchaouen, renowned for its iconic blue-hued local architecture in Morocco is meticulously painting her home, using traditional natural dyes, both to cleanse her living space and enhance its aesthetic appeal, 2018.

Returning home after selling her produce at the local market, a Black Sea farmer woman in Turkey carries her empty wicker basket, yet it seems as if she bears the weight of the world on her shoulders. The expression on her face reflects the resilience and determination ingrained in her spirit, 2009.

In Iran, the Islamic regime tries to maintain its power by pressuring women and girls to cover themselves strictly. Unaware of the significance of the black veil for now only covering her hair and body, a beautiful girl with hopeful eyes innocently plays with her doll. The absence of one leg on her doll symbolizes the fear that, as this girl grows up in an Islamic society, she too may face limitations, unable to fully express her true self.

In a village inhabited by the Hmong ethnic group in Vietnam, women sustain their livelihoods through handicrafts. Seated in front of her wooden home, a woman meticulously crafts her fabric. The pigs bred by the woman serve as companions in her solitude, 2018.

In Iran, the historic pink town of Abyaneh resembles an open-air museum. This woman, sitting in front of her house door, appears frozen in time, mirroring the timeless essence of the town, 2017.

Captured in Turkey during a religious festival, a woman is delicately crafting traditional Turkish dessert, Baklava, to offer her guests, embodying the essence of cultural culinary artistry, 2023.

In the midst of flooded rice fields in Thailand, a woman is delicately planting rice using traditional methods, symbolizing the importance of rice cultivation in Thai culture. Besides the reflection of the farmer woman's beauty, what captivates me in this moment is the enchanting Thai music playing from her radio as she works, adding a magical ambiance to the scene, 2018.

On a warm summer day on an Aegean island belonging to Turkey, a Greek woman, part of a minority group, sweeps the front of her house. As the gentle sea breeze carries ancient tales, she moves gracefully, connecting with the timeless rhythm of the island's heartbeat, 2021.

In Vietnam, Hmong women wear these vibrant clothes while selling their own produce at the market. Their attire is not intended for a festival celebration but rather for their daily activities, 2018.

On a weekend in Washington DC, volunteer women doctors set up stands in the park to conduct general health screenings for homeless individuals residing in the park, many of whom are predominantly African American. This act of compassion and service reflects the ongoing efforts to address healthcare disparities and provide care to marginalised communities, 2019.

In Iran, Abyaneh, known for its pink mud-brick architecture, resembles an open-air museum. Within this outdoor museum, the gaze of women seems frozen with a growing anger against Islamic patriarchal governance, resonating through the alleys and corridors of time, 2017.

In the eastern region of Turkey, where the Kurdish community resides, amid the celebration of a wedding, an elderly Kurdish woman is lost in her own sorrow, detached from the joyous atmosphere surrounding her, 2009.

In a scene that evokes a sense of enduring tradition, a woman with hands decorated with henna skillfully cuts Turkish noodles, representing the blending of culinary expertise and cultural heritage, 2009.

In the lively atmosphere of a local market in Laos, while caring for her baby, a woman sells goods. One can perceive a profound narrative of poverty hidden in the depths of her gaze, resonating with a sense of anger towards the harsh realities of her situation, 2018. 

Seated in the shade of her home, a Turkish woman earns her living by weaving and selling wicker baskets, her fingers delicately dancing across the strands of woven reeds. Each stitch tells a story of productivity, joy, and craftsmanship, depicting a vivid tapestry of life in 2019.

In a village nestled within an oasis amidst the Sahara Desert, villagers cultivate vegetables for themselves and grass for their animals. Women bundle the harvested grass on their backs, offering a glimpse into the daily life of Morocco 2018.

With her boat, a Laotian woman harvests water spinach from the Mekong River and meticulously cleans the greens in the water. After the spinach is cleaned, it is taken to the local market for sale, 2018.

In Vietnam, among the fifty-two diverse ethnic groups, are the Hmong, just one facet of the rich cultural fabric. Adorned with oversized earrings, covered in scarves, and crowned with headpieces, they evoke the spirit of a 1968 hippie festival attendee. Yet, amidst Vietnam's chaotic local market, they are merely hardworking women, in the year 2018.

In the redness of the setting sun on the Ta Pi River in Thailand, a fisher woman patiently waits in her boat, hoping for a catch on her fishing line, representing the important role of fishing in supporting family economies. With each gentle wavelet that kisses the water's surface, she finds comfort in the peaceful harmony of nature's whispers, a silent poem to resilience and hope, 2018.

At the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Thailand, predominantly women vendors trade from boats, utilizing these floating vessels as impromptu kitchens to prepare meals. Most dishes are cooked either on grills or fried in oil, while other sellers offer a diverse selection of fruits. The market is a feast for the senses with its array of aromas, colours, movements, and sounds. Adding to the lively atmosphere, Asian music fills the air from speakers spread throughout the market, 2018.

In a city renowned for its apricot cultivation in Turkey, a woman tends to the apricot harvest. The love she holds for this ancestral apricot craft is still evident on her face, 2009.

In a town nestled within the Mesr Desert of Iran, two young girls, despite the desolate surroundings and absence of others, are compelled to cover themselves from head to toe according to the dictates of Sharia law, 2017.

In a mountainous village market near the Chinese border in Vietnam, the vibrant colours of women's dresses captivate the eye. Among the women of this village, belonging to a distinct branch of the Hmong ethnic group, are those adorned with collars, earrings, and handmade kangaroo carriers for their babies, each ensemble serving as a testimony to their cultural heritage, 2018.

Enveloped in the soul-stirring melodies of Turkish music, a passionate music teacher captivates her audience with an enchanting performance on the side-blown flute, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Anatolian musical traditions, 2022.

In the lively streets of Hoi An, Vietnam, a woman sells tropical fruits, her captivating smile shining brightly despite her unhealthy teeth and deeply lined face, unaware of contemporary beauty standards. This unique, unselfconscious beauty emanates its own charm, capturing the essence of the year 2018.

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In the eastern region of Turkey, a Kurdish woman lives alone in her mud-brick house. To cope with her loneliness, she finds comfort in chatting with people who walk by her front door like me. Despite the language barrier—I cannot speak Kurdish, and she does not speak Turkish—we attempt to communicate through the universal language of photography, 2005.

The Maastricht Carnival, 2024. It's a scene where vibrant hues dance with laughter-filled eyes, creating a diverse atmosphere full of optimism drawn from the essence of existence.

In the eastern region of Turkey where Kurds reside, a violin virtuoso woman performs a concert during a festival organised under the slogan “Munzur River is Free, It will Flow Freely” in opposition to the state's plans to build a dam on this important geographical landmark, 2009.

Amidst the vibrant celebration of the Mardi Gras Festival Parade in New Orleans, USA, this photograph captures the enchanting display of colours and a symphony of sounds, immortalizing the spirit of joy and cultural diversity that defines this iconic event, 2020.

                                                                                                 Elif Bozkurt