OPEN gallery will be hosting an artist's reception Saturday October 17 at 7 p.m. to celebrate the premiere of photo-journalist Amira Karaoud's “I will have soft hands." The photo series is an exploration of the expectation of marriage for women throughout different world cultures. Karaoud, recently married herself, has traveled to 40 countries and her exhibit is both a visual treat and a moving realization of the great distance we must still travel to create gender equality.
Karaoud is a Tunisian born artist with a finance degree from Pace University in New York. She is an artist who wants to "challenge the strict gender roles of her culture." She left a ten year career on Wall Street to pursue art and social justice. Her photography has been shown in Tunis, Rome, Paris, New York, and most recently at The Crane House in Louisville. Her photographs have also been featured on Imago and usually focus on women's rights, citizenship, civil wars and environmental protection. On her website Karaoud states that "the direction of my art has never been intentional, but developed and evolved organically over time as I traveled."
Gallery owner Mark James says "her eye for light is equaled by her eye for texture, and every face has the same, 'I have a story to tell' expression and a mystery to be solved. In these images, we learn there is no cultural difference in the joy of laughter or the frailty of age."
The reception will feature live musical entertainment by Joee Conroy of Ute Gret, and refreshments will be available. The gallery is located at 2801 S Floyd st; it is pet friendly. You can also connect to Karaoud via her Facebook page or web site.
