“Women of the Archive” is a research and dissemination project initiated by the Lithuanian Photographers’ Association, aimed at revealing and re-evaluating the contribution of women photographers to the history of Lithuanian photography and to the activities of the Association itself. The project is based on the analysis of archival materials and their public presentation through research and an exhibition, highlighting creators who have remained less visible or insufficiently recognized.
Historically, women’s cultural heritage has often been overlooked, while the field of photography has long been dominated by men. As a result, the work and role of many talented women photographers within the professional community have not been adequately acknowledged. The project seeks to reassess this imbalance by examining the creative legacy and significance of artists such as Laima Skeivienė, Violeta Bubelytė, Snieguolė Michelkevičiūtė, Milda Drazdauskaitė, Irena Giedraitienė, Ona Pajedaitė, Eleonora Korkutienė, Regina Šulskytė, Vėtrė Antanavičiūtė, and many others.
The aim of the project is to systematically research, document, and disseminate the works of women preserved in the archive, granting them a rightful place within the history of visual culture. “Women of the Archive” also engages with broader contemporary discussions on gender equality in the fields of culture and art, contributing to the increased visibility of previously marginalized creators.
The project holds significant cultural and artistic value: it reveals the diversity of women’s photographic practices, including stylistic experimentation and social insight, while also challenging and expanding established art historical narratives. At the same time, it contributes to the preservation of Lithuania’s visual heritage and the restoration of historical balance.
“Women of the Archive” not only broadens the field of academic and curatorial research but also fosters public interest in photography. It provides students, art historians, curators, and wider audiences with the opportunity to discover previously underexplored works, which may serve as a basis for new exhibitions, publications, and research, as well as inspire future generations of creators.
