Mamamess presents Say My Name Rotterdam, an outdoor photo exhibition of women of Rotterdam. A part of Rotterdam’s La City '08 festival, twelve large-scale portraits can be seen on walls, windows and buildings in the city until July 20th.

The indoor exhibition runs until July 20th in the CBK (Nieuwe Binnenweg 75).

For more info please go to our special Say My Name website.







MEDIA: READ ABOUT SAY MY NAME ROTTERDAM IN:

Our first hook up in Rotterdam was Aruna. She’s a Rotterdam B-girl and we’ve been friends a long time. Though we’ve always wanted to work together, it seems like we were always on different continents – this project was our first chance.



(left: Nirit and right: Aruna)

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Sometimes you meet a woman that inspires you, but you can never quite put your finger on the reason why. That’s Liane for me.



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One of the first people Aruna mentioned to me was Silvie, who founded the ‘Steady’ organization for teen moms. Initially, we met just so she could tell me about teenage motherhood in Rotterdam, but she and her daughter were such fascinating characters that I ended up creating a great portrait of them.



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Manuela co-owns the successful Toko 94 restaurant in Witte de Withstraat , a popular street in the heart of Rotterdam. We got in touch via friends and met up in her restaurant.



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We always had pretty strong ideas about how we wanted the gallery opening to go. Rosie should sing, Shy (a local poet) should host and Aruna and Kimmy (and others..) should put together a break dance show. We didn’t want too many speeches, no uptight feminism for us - just a soulful display of diverse women who are connected to this project.

But then came the (somewhat political) issue of who would open the exhibit.

Various people suggested Carrie, but I was suspicious. Who is this white, older woman? Is she my style? Will she say the right things? At the same time, I knew I was looking for a local woman who could inspire the women I worked with …

Both Manuela and Aruna sang Carrie’s praises so I decided to let her open the exhibit and she did it so well. Her speech was exciting, opinionated and funny.

The opening program was a great moment where everything came together. A video will be up on this site soon. Meantime, check out her speech – read it and be inspired.



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Pregnant at 16 by a man now in prison for murder, fighting to survive in the chaotic world of Pendrecht (Rotterdam South), and losing her daughter to foster care - Linsey’s story had only just begun. Instead of giving up, Linsey, now 18, has gotten her own apartment, found herself a job as a cashier in a supermarket, and is determined to battle the system to get her daughter back. Keeping herself busy is what she believes will keep her off the streets and out of trouble.



“I’m not done fighting for my daughter”


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Juliana has an air of spirituality about her. Raised by her mother after her abusive father died, she went on to find peace, strength and determination. And though her mother still watches over her, making her a pot of Cape Verdian soup to take to work everyday, Juliana looks forward to the day when she will make her own rules, and even be the boss of her own clothing store. She has fire inside and she knows it.



“It doesn’t matter if you’re a woman in Holland or Cape Verde, in the end it’s your own power that counts.”

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Holding the camera of a friend, something magical happened to Fadjiwa, she found a love that loved her back. She discovered a purpose, and shook off the humiliation and worthlessness she’d felt all of her life. On the street from a young age, she has known numerous authorities and as many boyfriends, but not one of them managed to show her that her life was worth something. Recently she applied to, and was accepted at, the Willem de Kooning Academy for photography. From behind the lens, she’s found passion and hope.



“I thought it was normal to get beaten. And I thought I deserved it.”

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Although she calls Rotterdam ‘home’, Rosie’s visits to her family back in Cameroon are what energize this strong African woman. Each time she returns from Cameroon she returns unstoppable, ready to turn her fire into a passionate pursuit of her professional singing career. Staying close to her family and singing about her own truth keeps her grounded and inspired - ready to battle whatever struggles come her way.



“Love is my battery”

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Never having known the true love of her father, Jacqueline’s own losses give her a special connection to the refugees she helps as a student of cultural and social studies. She realizes that people who have lost everything come the closest to knowing themselves.  As the women she works with regain their self-esteem they inspire her to feel more confident. By observing their profound strength, she creates personal philosophies that help her heal and find joy in life's smallest things. 



“If you try to solve everything you loose the mystery of life.”

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