Every year since 2012, Warburton resident Suzanne Phoenix has curated an International Women’s Day photography portrait series – What Does International Women’s Day Mean to Me? leading to a collection of over 100 portraits featuring cis and trans women and non-binary people from many different corners of Melbourne. The series is a visual snapshot of the fierce, funny and extraordinary who inspire her world.
Due to Covid restrictions in the project’s tenth year, it hasn’t been possible for Ms Phoenix to create new portraits. However, she is celebrating with a self-publication of the portraits, the individuals responses to the importance of IWD and documentation of the events and poster paste ups from the project.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have worked on this series over the past decade and created portraits with over 100 cis and trans women and gender diverse people in Melbourne,” Ms Phoenix said.
“It gives me a place to respond to the inequality, discrimination, sexism, misogyny and gendered violence we experience every day in Australia. I put my energy into making positive images and increase visibility through varied platforms for people to engage with these issues.”
The impressive list includes many well-known artists, activists, authors, musicians, performers, photographers, comedians and fashion designers alongside boxers, human rights workers, massage therapists and those from all walks of life. There is a Yarra Valley contingent including:
Brook Powell, Director – Yarra Valley Writers Festival
Em Davies – Coffee pusher at Nancy’s of the Valley
Freddie Merkin – Drag King
Kate Baker – Photographer and CEO of YAVA
Both the emerging and stalwarts of Melbourne’s music scene are included such as Alice Skye, Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers, Cassie Walker, Christina Aubry of BATZ Band, Jess Ribeiro, Bitch Diesel, Erica Dunn Musician of Tropical F**k Storm, MOD CON and Palm Springs, Fee B’Squared of 3TripleRRR FM, Georgi Goonsack from Sprimpwitch, Grace Kindellan of Black Bats and Gracey and formerly Wet Lips, Helen Marcou AM of Bakehouse Studios, Jess Ribeiro, Kylie Auldist, Lazertits, Mary Mikelakos, Nadine Muller of Mr Teenage, Paris Martine and SPAWN. And even Glitoris from the ACT.
Plus Gillian Triggs Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, comedian Geraldine Hickey, author Angela Savage, Bronze World Boxing Championships Medallist Kristy Harris, comedian Justine Sless, Kathryn Jamieson of Gun Shy, Rose Chong and artists Adah Kelleher-Roulston and Anastasia La Fey and many more.
From the Melbourne Queer scene – Acacia aka Weird Alice Yankadic, Adele (Delsi Cat) Moleta, Amy (Bam Bam) Broomhall, Daddy Doe, Freddie Merkin, Jax Jacki Brown, Jessi Leigh, Ruby Slippers and Themme Fatale.
“IWD is a celebration of those women that came before us but also of the amazing people we are surrounded by now,” Brook Powell said. “Those that haven’t become complacent in their comfort and those that stay on the edges and maintain a voice from there. I thank all of them and acknowledge the work is never done.”
The self-publication will be available as a printed magazine or book, or a digital download through https://suzannephoenix.com/ and 10 per cent of the profits will be donated to Djirra – an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation providing practical support to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence, or have in the past.
