Sonalle, a photographer and recent contestant in BJP's annual Project Assistance Awards, is seeing her work exposed from this week at the Housmans Radical Bookshop in London (5 Caledonian Road).

Image © Sonalle.

The launch takes place on 18 April at 5pm. Ethnic Minority Domestic Violence Survivors is Sonalle's on-going project. As an Indian, British-born female, 'I am aware of how domestic violence can often be accepted as a part of everyday life, especially so as not to bring “shame” upon the family name. I have discovered that the mentality of many ethnic minority women is to just accept and not question what happens to them.' she says.

'Education and raising awareness could change this. This project aims to raise awareness through representational portraits of ethnic minority women with text describing their experience. These women suffered from domestic violence but have sought help and are now beginning their independent lives.

Most women were met through refuges and domestic violence organisations. Some of these women still weren't ready emotionally or psychologically to speak about their experience and so were unable to participate fully.

Most women wanted full anonymity so photos had to be taken to represent them whilst hiding their identity. They were asked to choose an expressive part of the body which was then photographed, experimenting with the natural light available. Digital media was used to allow the women to see the photos immediately. This made it possible for them to criticise and choose the images to be used. As some women in the refuges had no family or friends, this project provided an escape from the everyday life of the refuge, which could often be quite lonely.'

Sonalle has worked alongside numerous successful photographers in New York and Paris, coupled with developing several diverse photographic projects in selected cities worldwide. Since her recent arrival to London, Sonalle has been producing various awareness-raising assignments whilst assisting Magnum photographer Chris Steele-Perkins.

For more information, visit www.sonalle.com.