I am so excited to share the work of today’s post, Margaret LeJeune’s The Modern Day Diana. I met Margaret at an SPE conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, a couple of years ago and was immediately drawn to her pictures, which explore issues of constructed gender, sexism, power dynamics, and stereotypes. In The Modern Day Diana, the artist used a 4 x 5 camera to capture portraits of female hunters across the United States. The images instantly fascinate not only because they depict something we rarely see, but because they depict a twist on something we frequently see. I love this representation of women who defy multiple stereotypes. The subjects of Margaret’s photographs appear genuine, comfortable, and confident, women who are proud of their accomplishments and their home or their space, defying the norm while simply embracing the things they are passionate about. See Margaret’s new series, The Female Mariners Project, for more fantastic pictures in a similar vein.
From the artist’s statement: Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt. She was praised for her strength, athletic grace, beauty and hunting skills. Her vigor, health, and strength were admired and her protection was sought for young children and women in childbirth.
This series explores the modern notions of women hunters and the issues of gender, power and representation. By photographing in each woman’s home or hunting lodge I create a dynamic that questions the relationship between the domestic sphere, traditionally the women’s place, and the hunting world, typically a masculine realm. The attributes of Diana, that of the bow and arrow, hunting dog, stag and animal pelts, further express this dichotomy.
From “The Modern Day Diana”
Visit artist's site: margaretlejeune.com
Posted March 23rd, 2016
