The Honorable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg photographed at the U.S. Supreme Court, Washington, D.C., on October 29, 2019. Copyright Kristen Blush
The Honorable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, photographer Kristen Blush, and Ella Frederick converse following a portrait session at the U.S. Supreme Court. October 29, 2019. Photo by TL Duryea.
ALL RISE: A Photography Exhibition Celebrating Women With The Courage To Rise Up
Artist Statement
I created this photo series in 2019 in preparation for my feminist exhibition at the Clinton House Museum in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The exhibition would connect today’s modern feminism to the centennial of Women’s Suffrage. The series included more than 30 photographs but was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All Rise is a smaller curation from that exhibition, including a few new images photographed since then.
The original series was also Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton-centric, and included works from my book, The Revolution Is Female (2018). When I met with the Justice in Washington, D.C. for our photo session, she expressed great love and admiration for Secretary Clinton, and was very pleased to be included in the exhibition. My experience with Justice Ginsburg is still remarkably surreal; while it was a brief 10 minute session, I was able to capture various poses using both natural and studio lighting.
It was the absolute joy of my life to work with the Justice on this portrait session. Her interest in my work and contribution of her time and presence will forever be with me, and will continue to inspire my creativity.
The curation process of All Rise was also a great personal joy. Because the Justice — alongside several of the women in my series — was born and raised in Brooklyn, it is meaningful to share this body of work with my community in Flatbush. Each of these women were carefully selected for their embodiment of feminism and the courage they display in rising up in their own particular ways. Whether their success was immigrating from Jamaica and becoming the first Caribbean-born woman elected to the New York City's legislature (Dr. Una Clarke), or growing up in a lower-class Jewish family during the beginning of WWII — striving and learning, and beating all of the odds in a man’s world (Justice Ginsburg), these women and their stories are a part of our American history that must be recorded in books and art, and remembered for generations to come.
Moving forward, I will continue this work, including photographing the men who embody feminism and the spirit of rising up.
Remembering The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Justice Ginsburg passed away on Friday, September 18, 2020 at her home in Washington, D.C. surrounded by her family. Her passing occurred on the first day of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. According to Jewish tradition, a person who dies on Rosh Hashanah is a tzaddik—a person of great righteousness.
Justice Ginsburg leaves behind a legacy that is rooted in feminism and equal opportunities for ALL. Throughout her life, Ginsburg used her platforms to encourage education, urging school children to read books so they can achieve their dreams.
It was the absolute joy of my life to work with the Justice on this portrait session. Her interest in my work and contribution of her time and presence will forever be with me, and will continue to inspire my creativity.
May her memory be a revolution.
A Brief Backstory: The Clinton House Museum and Covid-19
I created this photo series in 2019 in preparation for my feminist exhibition at the Clinton House Museum in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The exhibition would connect today’s modern feminism to the centennial of Women’s Suffrage. The series included more than 30 photographs but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Teneral Cellars
The “Healthy Women/Healthy World” series by Teneral Cellars is photographed in Awesome Home, located at 653 Flatbush Ave, in Brooklyn, by Kristen Blush.
Guests who attended the artist reception on September 18th, 2021, enjoyed wine kindly provided by feminist and activist wine company, Teneral Cellars. Visit Teneral Cellars online to learn about their current wine series that benefits The Endometriosis Foundation of America.
Teneral Cellars is the only woman-owned and digital wine brand. They elevate women by using wine as a conduit for change. Teneral Cellars supports women’s causes and industry inclusion through the production and sale of phenomenal wine. They are committed to elevating women by expressing their voice and engaging in the hard but necessary conversations happening on and offline. Their commitment to women’s empowerment extends past their wine glasses. They believe in empowering women through wine, and donate 10% of their profits to organizations committed to supporting women through equality, equity, and opportunity.