UN photographer Martine Perret turns lens on ladies of Australia’s hinterland

World-renowned photographer Martine Perret has turned her lens to Western Australia’s Midwest, bringing to life the tales of girls from regional cities via her Women of the Hinterlands mission.

After spending greater than a decade protecting United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions and battle zones, Ms Perret now bases herself in WA’s South West.

Since her UN days, she has shifted her focus to the outback, along with her mission zooming in on the connection ladies have with the land.

Between 2021 and 2024, Ms Perret labored with ladies throughout Morawa, Mingenew, Perenjori and Carnamah, culminating in her exhibition Women of the Hinterland.

Resilient and robust

Ms Perret spent hours with every particular person, listening to their tales, studying about their lives and exploring the themes of her hinterland mission.

“They are really resilient and strong women. It’s been such a pleasure to spend time with them,” she stated.

Initially, Ms Perret deliberate to {photograph} six ladies, however her ambition rapidly grew to incorporate 21 portraits.

“We wanted to highlight women from different places,” she stated.

“It was really important to showcase the diversity we have here in terms of stories and to show how important women are.”

Stuck within the mud

One of the shoots that caught out to Ms Perret was with Giulia Censi on the Yarra Yarra Salt Lake.

The thought was for the portrait to symbolise her transfer from Italy to Australia, and seize a narrative of journey, resilience and new beginnings.

“She was beautifully dressed and had these beautiful shoes and then all of a sudden, her feet sank into the mud,” Ms Perret stated.

“I was really apologetic and thought we would have to stop the shoot, but Giulia just kicked off her shoes and continued barefoot.

“We had the largest snigger. It was a extremely humorous shoot.”

Another particularly memorable portrait session was with Madeline Anderson in Dandaragan.

Before the shoot, Ms Anderson asked permission from her grandfather to use white ash, which was a culturally significant element she wanted to incorporate.

“It turned non secular, and I appreciated her revealing this and for letting me be concerned,” Ms Perret said.

She said the openness and trust shown by the women made the project rewarding.

“I’m tremendous grateful that these ladies had been prepared to disclose their tales to me. It’s all the time such a privilege and honour to be trusted.”

A giant celebration of girls

Ms Perret’s next project will also highlight the stories of rural women.

The Geraldton-based project will be called Saltwater Women.

“It’s early days, so I can not share an excessive amount of, nevertheless it’s a piece in progress,” she stated.

Her end goal is to bring Saltwater Women and Women of the Hinterland together for a major exhibition.

“I’m crossing my fingers that we are able to showcase an enormous celebration of girls in a few years,” Ms Perret stated.

Women of the Hinterland was accomplished as a part of a North Midlands Project residency and is on show on the Morawa Arts and Cultural Centre till November 15.