Beauty salons and bars by day and by nightfall 
brothels with store fronts distinguished by glowing pink neon lights. What is the story of the doll-like natured women that Sarah Schorr saw in the store windows in the summer of 2004?
Sarah’s exhibition of photographs that started on Sunday, June 11 at Gallery 9, Lazimpat takes us behind the scenes into the lives of these women. She calls her project the “Steel Butterflies” and within the title is the essence that has been captured in the photographs.
The photos were taken in Lhasa, Tibet. When asked Sarah about her experience she said, “At first I was uncomfortable stepping into these places, it was hard, sad and complex. As an artist one shouldn’t ignore such matters. I communicated mostly by taking pictures and letting the women view them on my digital camera. If I had any problem communicating I used the help of an interpreter. The women whether shy or straightforward all wanted to tell their story.”
At first, the photos may look provocative but when they are observed closely and the nature of the circumstances in which they were taken understood, the photos at once become vulnerable and spread an awareness that needs to be taken notice of.
A photo, titled” Mirror” captures a woman combing her hair in front of a broken mirror. Subtly captured, it speaks of the woman’s need to look beautiful for her profession.
As you look at each picture you will notice the details of the surrounding that have been used as titles, each telling us something about the people in the photos. All of the photos hold an individual emotion, complex yet bare. Some seem to be almost as, speaking to the viewer; it is amazing how wonderfully the persona has been captured.
Sarah’s photographs would be best described in the words of Peter K. Moran, executive director, Fulbright. “Many photographers simplify complex things but Sarah’s photographs preserve the complexity of these women’s lives. Rather than showing the women as prostitutes, these photos allow them to be women.”
Sarah Schorr has been able to bring to life images and through them we are told tales. The Exhibition lasted June 25.
