"It has turned out that this project is really a celebration of wonderful, diverse women. I wanted to connect with women in the community and I want them to connect with each other. So as I have met each of them, I often connect them with others, " Jennifer Bisbing explained. "The images are classical with some edginess. I want them to be well grounded, to be part of the neighborhood."
All in black and white and shot with a traditional film camera, each image was developed and printed then scanned in a sleeve with dust on it. The results are prints with an "old look." The framing is simple but more contemporary with top and bottom film strip edges.
"Being able to make the project opening a benefit to help abused women get out of the cycle of violence makes this project even more wonderful for me,” said Bisbing, who assisted with domestic violence cases in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office before becoming a professional photographer. “Photographing local women and raising money is the best way for me to serve that community. I hope the opening raises thousands of dollars for CAWC.”
CAWC operates domestic violence programs at Wicker Park's Greenhouse Shelter, Humboldt Park Outreach Program, and Hospital Crisis Intervention Project at Stroger Hospital. Proceeds from a silent auction the night of the opening will be added to reception donations and photo sitting fees
Silent auction items are being donated by: Chicago Conservative Care, Coorens Communications, inc., Habit, Hot Chocolate, Little Rock Construction, Now Studio, Signal Theatre Company and Three Headed Productions.
Portrait sittings for the Wicker Women Project will continue to be available for $5 through the end of the year. Email j@generationjennifer.com.
Exhibit schedule is: October in Chrome Gallery 1462 ½ N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Floor by appt. email: j@generationjennifer.com ; November in the National City Bank, 1520 N. Damen Ave; December in Birchwood Kitchen, 2211 W. North Ave; and January 2010 in Hot Chocolate, 1747 N. Damen Ave.