Women and Photography in Birmingham: Reflections from Culture Forward
On Friday, 18th September, Culture Forward led an event as part of Birmingham Heritage Week that focused on women and photography in our city, past and present.
Held at the Birmingham and Midland Institute (BMI), the event brought together University of Birmingham students and staff, representatives from Culture Forward partner organisations, and professional photographers.
The first panel focused on the archive of Lisel Haas, a German-Jewish émigré photographer who first came to Birmingham in the 1930s and established a studio in Moseley. Iris Bertz, of Bertz Associates, introduced Lisel’s story and recent graduate Franziska Eggers spoke about her experience as a Collaborative Research Intern, exploring the Lisel Haas Archive. This was followed by an introduction to the Rhonda Wilson archive, housed at the Old Print Works in Balsall Heath. Dr Annette Naudin from Birmingham City University spoke alongside undergraduate Ambrose Loveridge, who also undertook a Collaborative Research Internship to work on materials connected to Rhonda, who was a prominent activist. It was inspiring to hear how the photography of these two women is finding new audiences in the 21st century through the work of Bertz Associates, PRISM Photography Network and the Old Print Works, in collaboration with University-funded opportunities for our students.
Oxana Bischin and Rebecca Orleans were the final speakers, both of whom are practicing photographers based in Birmingham. Their insights into how they have developed their practices, creative networks and storytelling through imagery and craft, alongside noting some of the contemporary challenges female photographers still encounter, was both moving and insightful. Together with the talks on Lisel Haas and Rhonda Wilson, the event demonstrated that photography in Birmingham has a rich history and an exciting future.
Thank you to all our contributors, to Birmingham Heritage Week, to the BMI for hosting, and of course to Tegen Kimbley for her fantastic photos that captured the energy of the afternoon.
The Discovering Lisel Haas exhibition is at the Library of Birmingham until 12 December 2026.