Join us for an in-person talk with March 2022 artist, Dan Nelken

Please join us in the Gallery for our March Exhibition Openings as we welcome Dan Nelken, whose project HeadStrong: The Women of Rural Uganda is on view throughout the month. Nelken will deliver an Artist Talk to the public at 1 PM on March 5.

HeadStrong: The Women of Rural Uganda presents 360-degree humanizing portraits of a cross-section of working women in rural Uganda through words and images. This project brings to light the conditions under which women living in rural Uganda find themselves suspended amidst old-world, gender-defined responsibilities, rapid population growth, and financial obstacles to education for girls.

Knowing that each woman had a compelling story to tell, and aware of his outside status, Nelken partnered with Beatrice Lamwaka, an award-winning Ugandan author. Lamwaka interviewed each portrait subject in her local dialect and then wrote a narrative to accompany their image striving to maintain their vernacular cadence and expressions without modifying them for Western audiences.

The women’s stories, in conjunction with the portraits, help us better understand their double-bind. They must earn money to pay for their children’s education–schooling could ensure a way out of economic hardship–but they often do not earn enough money to fulfill this essential goal. And yet, the women have hope, which is seen in their postures, words, and poetry.

Please register to attend. For the health and safety of the artists, Blue Sky staff, and attendees, we are limiting the number of attendees at the talk. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis

Masks & proof of full vaccination (including booster), or recent negative COVID test required at entry to attend the talk.