RYERSON GRADS’ ART COLLECTIVE CREATES SAFE SPACE FOR WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS

1. (https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/i-tried-to-become-a-
ryerson-baddie/)
I TRIED TO BECOME A RYERSON “BADDIE”
(https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/the-fake-out-are-
fake-ids-just-a-regular-part-of-the-uni-experience/)
THE FAKE OUT: ARE THE RISKS AND COSTS …
(https://theeyeopener.
grad-student-bringin
MEET THE RYERSO
 
RYERSON GRADS’ ART COLLECTIVE
CREATES SAFE SPACE FOR WOMEN
PHOTOGRAPHERS
In Arts & Life (https://theeyeopener.com/category/arts-life/) / March 12, 2018
By Kelly Skjerven
Ayesha Khan, a Toronto photographer, couldn’t have predicted that an Instagram post she saw a year
ago would change her experience as a photographer.
Photo: Kelly Skjerven
(HTTPS://THEEYEOPENER.COM/)


2. The post was from an account called The Collective Art Project
(https://www.instagram.com/thecollectiveartproject/). It was a photowalk collective aimed at women,
creating a safe space for them to learn about photography.
For Khan the collective was an exciting and needed change from the Toronto photo walks she had been
used to, where she was o en subjected to the condescension of male photographers.
“They always think they know better,” said Khan. “Or even if they are giving tips it feels like they’re
looking at you in a very condescending way.”
The Collective Art Project, which Khan’s been part of for a year now, is the brain child of Ryerson Social
Work graduates Sabrina Labbée and Amanda Mitchell. The project brings together women
photographers to learn from each other and collaborate on photography projects in a safe space.
Khan was excited when she initially heard about the concept, especially because she finds the
photography community in Toronto a “very male-dominated industry.”
“ I T ’ S J U S T A G O O D W A Y F O R M E T O S O R T O F E X P E R I M E N T W I T H
M Y C A M E R A A N D G E T M O R E I N T O I T ”
The project came about a er Labbee and Mitchell exchanged a series of texts while they were both at
their work placements last March. They both saw the impact of art and photography on giving women
control of their narratives. At first they intended on reserving the group for victims of sexual violence,
but a er seeing interests from lots of women, they changed that.
Mitchell calls the growth of the group “astronomical.”
Their first ever walk only had three women, but since then has grown to around 10 women for each
walk and 40 members online on a Facebook group.
On one Sunday, members met at the corner of Queen St. W. and Spadina Ave. before walking to the
alleyway. Although the sun was out, the photographers were still bundled up in brightly patterned
blanket scarves and parka jackets.
Members came with cameras in tow, some new and some old. Some even used their phones to capture
pictures. There were about six women there, they all took a couple minutes to catch up and praise the
nice weather a er a few cold days.

3. A er waiting for other members to arrive, the group begins to walk to the Gra iti Alley, but before they
start capturing their own photos they all huddle in to take a group photo. Labbée said it’s a tradition on
every walk.
A er the group photo, members scatter throughout the alley taking photos. Some focus on little things
and get really close to the subject of their photos, while others take wider shots encapsulating the art
covering the walls of the buildings.
A new member to the group, Ramya Muthukumaran, fiddles with her camera with the help of Labbée.
The group is so welcoming that Muthukumaran has no problem making instant friends with everyone.
“This is a good opportunity for me to learn about my camera but also go around the city and meet
people,” said Muthukumaran.
Muthukumaran heard about the photo walk on a Facebook group she is a part of and thought it was a
good opportunity to put her new camera to use.
“It’s just a good way for me to sort of experiment with my camera and get more into it because I feel
like if I don’t have the option to go out I won’t, so it’s a good option for me to do both of those things at
the same time,” said Muthukumaran.
Annie Duncan, a friend of Labbée, joined the group last year.
“She was taking photos of me at one point and I just decided to pick up my dad’s old camera and start
shooting with her opposed to being a subject in her photos,” Duncan shoots outside of the group as
well.
The group will continue to meet every month and welcome new members, who will share
conversations of all topics as well as tips about photography.
SHARE THIS:
(https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/ryerson-grads-art-collective-creates-safe-space-for-women-photographers/?
share=facebook&nb=1) 103
(https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/ryerson-grads-art-collective-creates-safe-space-for-women-photographers/?
share=twitter&nb=1)
(https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/ryerson-grads-art-collective-creates-safe-space-for-women-photographers/?
share=reddit&nb=1)
(https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/ryerson-grads-art-collective-creates-safe-space-for-women-photographers/?share=google-
plus-1&nb=1)

4. (https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/ryerson-grads-art-collective-creates-safe-space-for-women-photographers/?
share=linkedin&nb=1)
(https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/ryerson-grads-art-collective-creates-safe-space-for-women-photographers/?
share=tumblr&nb=1)
RELATED
(https://theeyeopener.com/2016/02/farrah-
khan-takes-action-on-sexual-
violence-on-campus/)
Farrah Khan takes action on
sexual violence on campus
(https://theeyeopener.com/2016/02/farrah-
khan-takes-action-on-sexual-
violence-on-campus/)
February 2, 2016
In "Communities"
(https://theeyeopener.com/2015/10/ryerson-
feminist-collective-forms-in-
solidarity/)
Ryerson Feminist Collective
forms in solidarity
(https://theeyeopener.com/2015/10/ryerson-
feminist-collective-forms-in-
solidarity/)
October 6, 2015
In "Communities"
Springing forward
(https://theeyeopener.com/2011/03/sp
forward/)
It’s no secret that Ryerson is a
breeding ground for talent in the
world of art, design and performance.
Artists who have trained here
continue to excel on an international
(https://theeyeopener.com/2011/03/spri
forward/)
March 22, 2011
In "Arts & Life"
COMMENTS
MARCH 13, 2018 (HTTPS://THEEYEOPENER.COM/2018/03/RYERSON-GRADS-ART-COLLECTIVE-CREATES-SAFE-
SPACE-FOR-WOMEN-PHOTOGRAPHERS/#COMMENT-98125)
Jay
REPLY (HTTPS://THEEYEOPENER.COM/2018/03/RYERSON-GRADS-ART-COLLECTIVE-CREATES-SAFE-SPACE-FOR-WOMEN-
PHOTOGRAPHERS/?REPLYTOCOM=98125#RESPOND)

Great work, this is truly a great idea and will help many women pursue their passion.
LEAVE A COMMENT

5. D OW NLOAD T HE LAT E S T I S S UE
Your Comment *
Your Name *
Your Email *
Your Website
I'm not a robot
reCAPTCHA
Privacy - Terms
SUBMIT

6. Our latest issues are available online as free downloads. (//theeyeopener.com/downloads/)
SPONSOR
(http://www.lovecra sexshop.com)
SPONSOR

7. (https://www.facebook.com/bpyongegerrard/photos/a.476438572688403.1073741826.469202623411998/583606315304961/?
type=3&theater)
SPONSOR
SPONSOR

8. (https://servedbyadbutler.com/redirect.spark?
MID=166973&plid=729953&setID=298666&channelID=0&CID=0&banID=519545469&PID=0&textadID=0&tc=1&mt=1522676158038034&
ABOUT
A Constitution for the Ryerson newspaper “The Eyeopener” (https://theeyeopener.com/74835-2/)
Advertising (https://theeyeopener.com/advertising/)
Contact (https://theeyeopener.com/contact/)
Our story (https://theeyeopener.com/about/)
Tips (https://theeyeopener.com/tips/)
Volunteer (https://theeyeopener.com/join-us/)

9. 
(HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/THEEYEOPENER.RYERSON)

(HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/THEEYEOPENER)

(HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/THE-EYEOPENER)

(HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/C/THEEYEOPENER-RYERSON)

(HTTPS://INSTAGRAM.COM/THE_EYEOPENER)

(HTTP://THE-EYEOPENER.TUMBLR.COM/)
ARCHIVES
Select Month