Friday, October 05, 2007

Healing Bodies and Souls

Bodies and Souls is a series of stunning nude portraits of women combined with their personal statements. Presented as a book as well as a traveling exhibit (a selection of photos is available online), the images bring forth what photographer Frank Cordelle calls The Century Project.

As Cordelle photographs women of many sizes, shapes, and ages -- from newborn to nearly 100 years old -- his purpose is to "give voice to women through pictures and words which project, among much else, courage, vulnerability, strength, diversity, multiplicity, and uniqueness."

O, the Oprah Magazine, raved about the book in its March 2007 issue and tens of thousands of people across the continent have viewed the exhibition. The photos provoke powerful responses. For example:

"When I left the exhibit, I was a changed woman."

"Never have I been in a room with more beauty, more talent, more freedom. Never have I felt more in love with myself."

"To see an image of a nude woman that is not sexual is rare. To see an image of a woman who is nude, old, proud, powerful, honest, and beautiful -- this is amazing."


Celebrating women and our bodies as subjects, not objects, The Century Project will be on view in 2008 with exhibitions in Kentucky, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. I heartily invite you to consider bringing an exhibit to your community. See The Century Project's website for details.

Check out readers' reviews and order Bodies and Souls at amazon.com or your local bookstore.