By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
232news
It was first of its kind to see an advocate that is championing the course of women through photographs.
During the private viewing of The Barry, a group exhibition of contemporary Sierra Leonean fine art which took place on Thursday 8th December, 2022 at Toma, Cape Road Aberdeen, Freetown, Hickmatu Leigh was spotted by this media when she was displaying her handiwork and calling to end all forms of stereotypes against women.
The face value, fine art, featured Barray Artists such as: Felix Rhodes, Ranya Nirvan, Sheka Kallon, Julius Parker, Hafsatu Serry, Hickmatu Leigh, Josephine Dauda, Hawa Jane Bangura and Mustapha Marray-Conteh.
Hickmatu Leigh described photography as a universal language that can be understood by people from all walks of life. Photographs, she added can invoke, connect, inspire, and more. They tell who humanity is and why they all matter to each other.
Hickmatu just finished her Master’s Degree in Public Health, but she loves telling stories with her images, most taking pictures of Sierra Leonean women, and eager to tell more stories because she feels like women’s voices need to be heard and she wants her photography to not only base on the beauty aspect but more meanful of women in different places.
“I know I can have a positive impact on identity for Sierra Leonean youth, specifically young Sierra Leonean women, with my Photographs. For me it’s not just about the Photographs, but also how I feel behind the lens I see single moments as everlasting when I hold a camera.”
She went on to say in both her quest to join the Public Health sector, and to become a Photographer, her passion is listening to Sierra Leonean women, sharing their stories, and supporting systems that bring their bodies what they need – fundamental human rights.
“My photo series are almost always of Sierra Leonean women just as they are – multidimensional, polymath, modern, traditional, soft, powerful, and boundless – forever evolving to supersede local and global stereotypes of “their limits””.
Hickmatu narrated a story that captured her heart about a woman doing Female Genital Mutilation without cutting and how she was inspired by her mother who surpassed many trials but still remain strong.
Hickmatu started her photography carrier some three years ago and she intend to blend health and photography through story telling.
She took photos titled “Rewbeh barkinabeh” meaning blessed women or favored women, which she said is a reflection of every woman searching, every woman lost, this woman sits majestic amidst all her anguish. Her smile resilient, forged by hard knocks, scars carved deep in her soul. History bleeds Black, Red, Green and Blue.
“The woman carries bundles on her head, can’t take back the things her eyes have seen, things her mouth can’t speak of. I am that woman wishing for the return of colors, like the blossom of petals forged by tears. Looking through my lens I see hope, I see the feminine divine, the fortitude of mothers, silenced sisters beaten to dust and girls sold out as a bauble, a gimcrack for the world’s amusement. Through my lens I find words, I find strength for me and every other woman who has dies a million times, to rise again, braced and fortified.”
She said more than half of women still feel unrepresented globally, and their stories remain untold as the world continues to advocate for their right and push for their representation in decision-making. Many of these women walk around with their stories masked in scars from serial violence, religious persecution, giving up their dreams to preserve family values, and a lack of genuine environment to have their voices heard.
In the middle of all these, she added many still rise up every day giving the world their beautiful smiles, their sensuality, and commitment to building a better world for all.
She emphasized that the world must begin to look at women’s struggles beyond face value. That way more women will take off their masks and speak up about the issues that affect them the most.
“The mask l, the cowries, burnt hands, represent their secrets, their spirituality and the struggles.”
After viewing the art work, Assiatu Bah from Citiglobe Pharmacies Ltd described the work as very impressive. She spoke about the need for more empowerment of the Sierra Leone art industry as what the artists are doing is not something they are thought but one that comes through imagination and feelings.
“Every piece here looks good, they are mind blowing”
It was the first time Assiatu viewed Barray Artists work at Toma but always viewing art work either online or by other means as she loves viewing such.
“I have been viewing art work but what I saw today looks different, they are so beautiful.”
