Open Call for Artists: London Photography Diaries

The London Photography Diary are excited to announce we are seeking entries for our sixth exhibition, on the theme 'Gender Performace', to be presented at Carmel by the Green in East London.

The assumption that the quality of ‘maleness’ or ‘femaleness’ is innate within us has a long social history.  Its repercussions are vast, going on to delimit our very behaviours, manner of expression and sense of self. The Twentieth Century has seen this concept progressively challenged, with numerous philosophers, scientists, historians and artists theorising the socially constructed nature of gender. Not only has gender’s ‘essentializing’ nature been contested, but it has been shown to be far more fluid and plural than previously thought, with feminine and masculine norms differing across time and place.

From the vantage point of our contemporary society in 2017, the notion of gender appears set to implode; in part due to radical cultural and intellectual shifts. Despite this however, harmful stereotypes persist with damaging consequences. Traditional gender profiles cultivate a culture of discrimination. They disempower women and girls and aid in the development of depression in men and boys. Individuals who violate these gender codes are often marginalised, facing adversity, hostility and violence.

Interrogating these prejudices, images can be a powerful tool in dismantling the structures of fear and oppression that enforce the socio-cultural policing of gender. They can deconstruct and reveal the performative nature of our identities, and engage us in a liberating and playful exploration of the gender paradigm.

The London Photography Diary invites international artists to submit work on the theme of gender performance that celebrates and explores the complexities of gender. We welcome artists working across all genres of photography, including but not limited to, documentary photography, narrative photography, photo-portraiture and conceptual work.

Submission Guidelines

Deadline for entries is Sunday 28th May 2017

This exhibition on Gender Performance will take place at Carmel by The Green, located near Bethnal Green tube station, from July 6th until September 6th, with a Private View event on July 6th.