Sixth annual photography exhibit focuses on experiences of homeless women
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (February 21, 2019) — The Muhammad Ali Center’s sixth annual international photography contest and exhibition, Shining a Light, opens to the public on March 8th, International Women’s Day. The theme of this year’s exhibition, (The) Many Faces of Homeless Women, focuses on women who are, or who have been homeless—and incorporating their families and daily lives. To examine the complexity of this subject, the annual contest asked photographers around the world, both professional and amateur, to look around them—in their cities or on their travels—and to aim their lens at an issue that is in everyone’s backyard.
The Center received nearly 300 entries from 12 countries.Top entries include: “Good Morning India” by Moonis Mirza from India, “Life” by Ozge Ergin from Turkey, and “Gypsy Girl” by Shahab Naseri from Iran. The show will also feature an image by Rebecca Clark, a client of UP for Women and Children, a local day shelter here in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Center corroborated with Coalition for the Homeless on the text for this exhibit to ensure that the information disseminated is accurate and effective.
Inspired by Muhammad Ali’s core principle of Respect, gender equity holds a place of significance in the Ali Center’s programming and temporary exhibitions. Beyond the fact that gender equality is a basic human right as defined by the United Nations, the empowerment of women is critical to the health, productivity, and happiness of families and our communities, both locally and globally.
Shining a Light, featuring 35 photos, will be on display at the Ali Center beginning March 8. The cost of the exhibit is included in regular admission pricing.
The exhibition will emphasize that change is up to the audience in one’s own community. It is the hope that individuals will continue to educate themselves on the issues surrounding homelessness, sharing that knowledge with their communities, motivating them to become involved and active in advocacy, reminding people that as a city, as a nation, and as a global community, we have the power to instigate change.