West Cork trio in new photography book on women

By Kieran O’Mahony

THREE West Cork women are to feature in a new photography book entitled A Woman’s Work that looks at females who work in creative and unusual predominantly-male professions.

Photographer Beta Bajgart embarked on the project to raise awareness of gender inequality in modern Ireland and its impact on Irish women across all aspects of their lives.

Kinsale-based goldsmith Mary Enright, who runs her own jewellery shop, is one of the three West Cork business owners who are featured in the book.

‘I was thrilled to be asked to take part in this project and it’s a great idea by Beta, who has been travelling around the country for the past year meeting and photographing women,’ Mary told The Southern Star.

‘By challenging and discussing gender stereotypes, we can change,’ she said. ‘My first job after graduating from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s Jewellery Programme was in a male-dominated workshop. I was the first female goldsmith hired in its 30-year history and since then, each new goldsmith hired has been female.’

Scuba diver and owner of Ocean Addicts in Kinsale, Anne Ferguson is also featured in Beta’s book.

‘Beta heard of me through a customer of mine and when I met Beta I also told her about Mary Enright, so it’s great to have local women involved in the project,’ said Anne.

‘This is a very interesting project and Beta’s aim is to inspire young girls to go out and challenge themselves by taking up different occupations,’ she said.

Bandon-based violin maker, Jospehine Guedan, who runs Guedan-Moisy Violins, is also featured in this collection of portraits.

RTÉ and recruiter Accreate have both contributed to half of the printing costs for the book, while a fundit campaign hopes to raise the remainder of the costs.

Rewards for donating on www.fundit.ie/project/a-womans-work include invitations to the book launch at Dublin Castle and photography sessions with Beta Bajgart.

All proceeds from the book will go to the National Women’s Council of Ireland.

It will be published on International Women’s Day –  March 8th 2017.