Between Women Rolls Across Scotland with Travelling Gallery

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Between Women: Gender & Labour in New Photo Exhibit

In a compelling blend of historical reflection and contemporary dialogue, the Travelling Gallery is back on the road, partnering with the University of St Andrews to present Between Women, an exhibition that interrogates gender, labour, education, care, and activism through documentary photography spanning seven decades and multiple continents.

Anchored in the seminal work of Scottish photographer Franki Raffles, Between Women draws together images from five women photographers: Sylvia Grace Borda, Sandra George, Carolyn Scott, and Niu Weiyu. Their work collectively sheds light on how gender is produced and reproduced across different social structures, from workplaces and housing to healthcare, education, and play spaces.

A Global and Historical Dialogue

Raffles’ photography from the 1980s and 1990s serves as a key focal point, particularly her Picturing Women series and her 1984–85 travels to the Soviet Union and China. These projects form the foundation for comparisons with Niu Weiyu’s striking documentation of women workers in 20th-century China, Scott’s studies of community relationships in Newcastle’s Rye Hill area during the 1960s, George’s images of Edinburgh’s activist spaces in the 1980s and 1990s, and Borda’s reflections on post-war welfare state architecture in Scotland.

Together, these bodies of work emphasize both the commonalities and divergences in women’s lived experiences, raising crucial questions about solidarity, intersectionality, and the historical production of gender roles.

Photography as a Political Lens

The exhibition’s curators, Vivian K. Sheng and Catherine Spencer, underscore the relevance of these images in today’s political climate. The project encourages audiences to consider the ways gendered labour and socialization are shaped by broader political and economic forces. This extends to public policies around education, childcare, and workplace structures, as well as more localized experiences of activism and resistance.

Niu Weiyu’s work, for instance, documents women in mid-century China taking on roles in aviation, media, and government, illustrating state-led efforts to redefine gender expectations. Meanwhile, Sandra George’s photography captures grassroots activism in Edinburgh’s working-class communities, demonstrating the vital role of local initiatives in advocating for gender equality and social justice. Carolyn Scott’s images of childhood play spaces and deindustrialization in Newcastle serve as a reminder of the ways economic shifts impact the social fabric of a community.

By placing these works in conversation with one another, Between Women fosters a nuanced discussion about the ways gender, race, class, and geography intersect in the formation of social identities and political movements.

Making Art Accessible

In keeping with the Travelling Gallery’s mission to bring contemporary art directly to communities, Between Women will visit multiple locations throughout Scotland, ensuring that audiences outside of major city centres have the opportunity to engage with the exhibition. The tour will launch in Edinburgh on February 17 at the Community Wellbeing Centre before making stops at the Glasgow Women’s Library, Dundee International Women’s Centre, Cupar’s Fluthers Car Park, and East Sands Leisure Centre in St Andrews.

The initiative is bolstered by funding from the University of St Andrews Impact and Innovation Fund, alongside increased investment from Creative Scotland, reflecting a commitment to making high-quality art experiences more widely accessible.

Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, expressed her enthusiasm: “It’s crucial that art and culture are as accessible to as many people as possible. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to visit the exhibition, bringing together work which illuminates how gender is produced and reproduced through workplaces.”

A Legacy of Feminist Documentary Photography

Franki Raffles’ influence looms large over Between Women. A fierce advocate for gender justice, Raffles was instrumental in documenting women’s working lives in Edinburgh and beyond. Her work with the Zero Tolerance campaign in the 1990s remains a landmark in feminist visual activism.

Similarly, Sandra George’s photographic legacy, preserved at Craigmillar Now, continues to inspire community-based activism in Edinburgh, while Sylvia Grace Borda’s multidisciplinary approach challenges audiences to consider the ways built environments shape gendered experiences.

By bringing these pioneering photographers together, Between Women not only honours their individual contributions but also highlights the power of collective visual storytelling in shaping feminist histories.

An Invitation to Engage

The Travelling Gallery has long been a champion of bringing art to diverse audiences, and Between Women is no exception. The exhibition invites visitors to engage with the stories, struggles, and triumphs captured in these photographs, while also reflecting on their own experiences and histories.

Curator Louise Briggs emphasizes the participatory nature of the project: “We’re looking forward to discussing the work of each artist with our visitors, who we believe will have their own stories and experiences to share that chime with many of the references (and local sites) found in the work on display.”

As the Travelling Gallery embarks on its latest journey, Between Women underscores the role of photography in documenting, challenging, and reimagining the intersections of gender, labour, and activism across generations and geographies.

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Between Women runs across Scotland 17th-21st February 2025. For more, visit travellinggallery.com.

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