IMAGE LIST
1. Building
2. Looking Out
3. The Gaze
4. Torontonian
5. The View From My Side of Things
6. Fenced In
7. A Way Out
8. Playing Magic Light
9. Future
10. Family
PICTURE DIS:
A Look Through the Eyes of the Young Women of Lawrence Heights
Photographers: Alicia Alexander, Farhia Hirad, Ladan Omar, and Hanan Osman
Picture Dis is a collection of photography that presents a visual glimpse into the lives of a group of young women who live in Lawrence Heights. Led by photographer Debra Friedman and facilitated by Ashley McFarlane, the work reflects the photographic skills the group learned over several months of studying lighting, framing and composition, portraiture and documentary photography. These elements where used to merge the artistic with the expression of the photographers lives, families, friends, community, and social realities.
Lawrence Heights was given the nickname “Jungle” by its resident because of the confusing web of streets and paths throughout the neighbourhood reminded them of a jungle that could only be navigated successfully by those who call it home. You can’t drive to the grocery store or even on to the main road of Lawrence Avenue without taking ‘the long way’. There are no businesses in Lawrence Heights, not even a corner store. With the recent rise in violence in the neighbourhood it is even becoming unsafe to travel outside of your home. Bordering its west side is the TTC Downsview/University Line. Through a fence and by a path residents can watch trains and commuters on the Allen speed by the area. You don’t travel in, unless you live there or have something to do there. And getting out is its own challenge. The issue of movement within and outside of the community came up naturally as a topic in this collection. And not just one that represents the need to move physically through space, but the common theme of ‘making it out’ and being ‘trapped in’ the realities of those with lower economic resources in society; the overexploited. This works aim to show the angst the residence face in terms of movement and access, while presenting an alternate view of a ‘Priority’ neighbourhood that has a strong sense of community, brimming with vibrant youth with real visions and futures.
