Visible Women

After approaching two decades of photographing cultural icons and leading public figures, Lucy was uncomfortably aware of the underrepresentation of women in her work. The Visible Women series was born in response to this, and was inspired by the ‘Acting Your Age Campaign’ created by founder Nicky Clark. The women in these portraits are united in the demand for equality in their profession and in a call for the authentic representation of all women. Statistics demonstrate stark gender and age inequalities in an industry where roles for women simply drop off a cliff by middle age.

‘Our profession magnifies the gendered scrutiny all women face throughout their lives’

H E R M I O N E N O R R I S

The Acting Your Age Campaign states:

Women in the UK only have a “shelf life” on screen while their male colleagues have a “whole life”. Campaign statistics reveal that only 9% of audiences could recognise more than 20 women, over the age 45, on screen. In contrast 49% of audiences could recognise over 20 leading men over the age of 45.

‘Invisibility is the theft of representation and dignity’ J U L I E G R A H A M