Member Article

Women's handbags reveal all

Iranian wet wipes, a tooth, part of a North African twig, a lamb’s castration ring and a section of a wing mirror are just some of the unusual things that visitors to The Art Works Galleries in Newcastle carry around with them. Guests at the gallery’s monthly First Thursday preview evening were asked to empty their handbags and reveal all last month as part of the current art installation.

Over 50 women were photographed as part of an experiment to get an insight into women and their lives through examining the contents of their handbag. The idea developed after The Art Works Galleries resident artist and owner Matt Forster and public relations consultant Paul Easton questioned why women’s handbags are always full to the brim, yet men can carry all they need with them in pockets.

25 of the most interesting and unique images will be exhibited until the end of May for visitors to discover if you can really tell all about somebody’s lifestyle without ever meeting them.

Matt Forster said: “This exhibition has been great from the start as it has got people from all ages involved in art who necessarily wouldn’t have been interested. As you walk around the gallery you can hear the laughter from those in the Solo Eye studying the photos and asking themselves, why does she need to carry that?”

All of the images will be for sale and there will also be an opportunity to purchase your picture if you took part in the photo shoot but were not selected. For further information about the exhibition please contact the gallery on info@theartworksgalleries.com or call 0191 261 9922.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .