Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

Women's Month will be celebrated in different ways around the country.

The photographer's collective, Botsotso, is celebrating in the best way they know - photographically.

The best works by some of the country's leading photographers, Neo Ntsoma, Suzy Bernstein, Riana Wiechers and Anna Varney are on display at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

Fourteen female poets will be reading their poems and extracts from their books.

Titled Isis X, the exhibition seeks to evoke the spirit of the Egyptian goddess and pay tribute to the creativity of her modern day counterparts.

Also on display is the poetry of Sumeera Dawood, Lisemelo Tlale, Elizabeth Trew, Anet Kemp, Baitse Mokiti, Myesha Jenkins, Arja Salafranca, Makhosazana Xaba, Bongekile Mbanjwa and others.

There are 50 photographs and poems taken from the book Isis X, edited by Allan Kolski Horwitz.

It is available through Botsotso Publishing.

"Such an openly women-only venture might attract projections of stereotyped feminism or effeminate style, but neither is valid concerning this intelligent, varied, yet ultimately coherent anthology," said poet Eva Kowalski about the book.

IsisX also reflects the humorous personal insights, poignant social observations and spirited expressions of anger and hope of the numerous female contributors featured in its line-up.

It is hoped that visitors to the exhibition will conclude that a female artist's pen and lens are indeed mightier than the sword.

There will be a walkabout for the public on Saturday, August 11 at 11am during which the photographers and poets will discuss their work.

There is also poetry session scheduled for 6pm on Friday, August 24 featuring Makhosazana Xaba, Uhuru Mahlodi and Donna Smith, as well as others.