International Women's Day Panel Discussion: Female Leadership in the creative sector

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring accomplished women in the photography & creative sector (museums & galleries).

The panel speakers will celebrate International Women's Day by sharing their insights on female and female-identifying leadership and empowerment. 

Why Join?

• You will hear about lessons learned, overcoming career barriers, and achieving milestones
• The speakers will share tips on pursuing a fulfilling, meaningful, and professionally recognised career path.
  
• This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring creatives and photographers to hear from industry experts, ask questions, and network with like-minded people! 

🥤 Your ticket includes one complimentary organic soft drink sponsored by Karma Drinks.

🎤 Speaker Bio 

Sujata Setia is an Indian-born British artist. In 2009, she completed Master's in International Relations at King’s College London. Her background in journalism informs her research-based, socially engaged practice. Sujata combines traditional artistic interventions and photography to call attention to the boundaries of cultural imperialism, where subaltern histories are exiled. Her series “Changing the Conversation” was the first departure from her fantastical childhood portraits work. That series continues to interrogate the binaries that form our understanding of “beauty.”“A Thousand Cuts” studies patterns of domestic abuse in the South Asian culture. This interdisciplinary project, born out of close collaboration with survivors, employs qualitative research methods and a trauma-informed approach, allowing for an ethical, survivor-centric narrative. Sujata is recipient of the LensCulture Critics Choice Award 2024, Sony World Photography Award Creative Category Winner 2024, BJP Female in Focus winner 2022, and Photographer of the Year - Tokyo International Foto Awards 2021, amongst others.

Gabrielle Motola 
Based in the UK, Gabrielle Motola is an accomplished artist, writer, and therapeutic photography practitioner with a diverse background in photography, psychology, and motion pictures. She holds a BSc from the University of Miami, qualifications from the Spéos Institute in Paris, and postgraduate certifications in counselling and therapeutic photography from Robert Gordon University. Her career has spanned roles in photography, television editing, colour grading, and teaching. After three years of living and working in Iceland, she published An Equal Difference, an ethnographic photography book examining gender equality in Icelandic society and its response to the 2008 financial crisis. Gabrielle leads workshops utilising photography to build emotional resilience, emphasising its ability to heal and connect. Her work, known for its depth and authenticity, highlights the transformative potential of photography. Through her workshops, she helps individuals explore their perspectives, deepen self-awareness, and foster personal growth.

Susan Eskdale
Susan Eskdale is an Arts Manager & Creative Programmer. She has worked in the NHS, run club nights, managed Arts Festivals, a Youth Music organisation and with charities working with people experiencing homelessness, most recently Accumulate. Susan is passionate about using the arts to engage and create opportunities, ensuring the highest quality outcomes to transform lives. She collaborates on projects that inspire self-belief, build skills, impact on health resilience and change. She champions culture to shift perspectives, open access, opportunities and challenge inequality. Susan initiated the Arts programme at The Connection at St Martins including input from National Arts institutions and Arts professionals inc: Gareth McConnell, BFI, and the Photographers Gallery. At Brighton & Hove Museums Susan steered Community Engagement to be brave, inclusive and accessible, leading on organisational cultural change. She initiated ‘Be Bold:’ working with Brighton & Hove’s LGBTIQ+ individuals and communities on community curated programmes and exhibitions: Museum of Transology, and Queer the Pier.

About the Organisers

The Photography Foundation was created to provide pathways to professional photography for less advantaged young adults in London by offering education, practical experience, and routes to a career in the creative industries. The Photography Foundation acknowledges that commercial photography can be a stressful career and feel isolating at times. Our events are intended to promote wellbeing and the importance of making time for inspiration and creativity in your practice in order to maintain a sustainable career.

Women In Photography  The RPS Women in Photography objective is to facilitate the celebration, education & collaboration of female & female-identifying photographers.

👥 Please Note

• Our Public Programmes are aimed at anyone aged 16+. If you are an adult who wishes to join with someone younger than 16 years old, please contact us in advance at Events@thephotographyfoundation.org

🎟 Ticket Information

• This event has free general entry. There is an optional £5 donation. Donation profits help us continue our core mission to alleviate poverty by using photography as a tool for positive change.

• Please note that spaces are limited. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket 48 hrs before the event via Ticket Tailor. 

📧 Accessibility

• If you have any accessibility requirements or questions please email Events@thephotographyfoundation.org

• Please note that there is lift access to our second floor studio & accessible WC facilities.

📸 Image credits @InternationalWomen'sDay @ThePhotographyFoundation

Speaker Images

Sujata Setia

Gabrielle Motola

Susan Eskdale