UN photographer Martine Perret turns lens on women of Australia's hinterland
The stories of women like wool classer Louisa Cole are captured in an exhibition. (Supplied: Martine Perret)
World-renowned photographer Martine Perret has turned her lens to Western Australia's Midwest, bringing to life the stories of women from regional towns through her Women of the Hinterlands project.
After spending more than a decade covering United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions and conflict zones, Ms Perret now bases herself in WA's South West.
Since her UN days, she has shifted her focus to the outback, with her project zooming in on the connection women have with the land.
Ella DeBruyn grew up on a farm in Carnamah, nearly 300km north-east of Perth. (Supplied: Martine Perret)
Between 2021 and 2024, Ms Perret worked with women across Morawa, Mingenew, Perenjori and Carnamah, culminating in her exhibition Women of the Hinterland.
"It was pretty extraordinary that all of these women were willing to share and reveal some aspects of their life,"Ms Perret said.
Cheryl Bell lives in Mingenew, 360km north-east of Perth. (Supplied: Martine Perret)
Resilient and strong
Ms Perret spent hours with each person, listening to their stories, learning about their lives and exploring the themes of her hinterland project.
"They are really resilient and strong women. It's been such a pleasure to spend time with them," she said.
Anna Tran lives in the Midwest area of Mingenew. (Supplied: Martine Perret)
Initially, Ms Perret planned to photograph six women, but her ambition quickly grew to include 21 portraits.
"We wanted to highlight women from different places," she said.
"It was really important to showcase the diversity we have here in terms of stories and to show how important women are."
Stuck in the mud
One of the shoots that stuck out to Ms Perret was with Giulia Censi on the Yarra Yarra Salt Lake.
The idea was for the portrait to symbolise her move from Italy to Australia, and capture a story of travel, resilience and new beginnings.
Giulia Censi moved from Italy to Marchagee, 236km north-east of Perth. (Supplied: Martine Perret)
"She was beautifully dressed and had these beautiful shoes and then all of a sudden, her feet sank into the mud," Ms Perret said.
"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 biggest laugh. It was a really funny shoot."
Madeline Anderson lives 170km north-east of Perth in Moora. (Supplied: Martine Perret)
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 became spiritual, and I appreciated her revealing this and for letting me be involved," Ms Perret said.
She said the openness and trust shown by the women made the project rewarding.
"I'm super grateful that these women were willing to reveal their stories to me. It's always such a privilege and honour to be trusted."
Nyree-Jane Taylor lives in Piawaning, 155km north-east of Perth. (Supplied: Martine Perret)
A big celebration of women
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't share too much, but it's a work in progress," she said.
Martine Perret shooting in the Midwest. (Supplied)
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 can showcase a big celebration of women in a couple of years," Ms Perret said.
Women of the Hinterland was completed as part of a North Midlands Project residency and is on display at the Morawa Arts and Cultural Centre until November 15.