In summary:
While men began exploring Antarctica in the 19th century, women did not have this opportunity until the middle of the 20th century.
A new multimedia exhibition celebrates the professional experiences and personal perspectives of women working in Antarctica.
What happens next?
The exhibition runs until 1 September at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart.
When Miranda Nieboer finally fulfilled her long-held dream and worked in Antarctica, the experience left a lasting impression.
“It was more impressive than I ever imagined,” said the Tasmanian researcher.
Dr Nieboer was part of a team that spent several weeks in 2018 driving tractors through the icy landscape to deliver supplies to the Concordia research station.
“It’s absolutely incredible,” she said of the 1,100-kilometer journey.
“It stays in your memory; Antarctica gets under your skin.”
Six years later, Dr. Nieboer has curated a new multimedia exhibition that shows the connection of women like her to the coldest, driest and windiest continent on Earth.
“When we look at humanity’s engagement in Antarctica, most of the stories are told by men and from a man’s perspective,” she said.
“This exhibition shows stories told by women.
“It highlights and celebrates the professional perspectives and personal experiences of women in Antarctica and working in the Antarctic sector.”
The exhibition is titled “Through Our Eyes: A Woman’s Place is in Antarctica.”
First Australian woman hid on a ship to reach Antarctica
While men began exploring Antarctica in the 19th century, women did not have this opportunity until the middle of the 20th century.
In fact, the first Australian woman did not step onto the ice until 1961.
To get there, Nel Law – who was married to the director of the Australian Antarctic Program – had to secretly travel as a stowaway on his ship.
It took another 14 years before the next Australian women were able to visit the continent, this time as official members of the expedition team.
“The first women to go south had to either go as a captain’s wife or sneak onto a ship and get a place to go south unnoticed,” said Karen Rees, director of the Antarctic Women’s Network.
“We had to invent our place, so to speak, or prove ourselves in order to be accepted.”
In the decades since then, the fight for respect and equality has remained challenging despite persistent stories of discrimination and harassment.
“This exhibition is called ‘Through Our Eyes’ and shows how women are taking their place in Antarctica,” Ms Rees said.
“I think there’s something really powerful about saying, ‘I was there, I saw that, let me tell you.'”
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“It’s hard to imagine feeling more alive or more vulnerable”
The exhibition tells the stories of 59 women from Australia and France, many of whom begin their journey south via Hobart, the gateway to Antarctica.
The professions range from station manager and meteorologist to geologist and filmmaker.
They were asked to provide a portrait of themselves, a photo related to Antarctica and a short audio recording of their most memorable experience.
These were some of their answers:
“When I think of Antarctica, I think of the white desert we crossed and the breathtaking scenery with the wind cutting waves into all the snow sculptures. It’s just an incredible moment.”
“My fondest memory is standing behind Mawson Station and listening to the ‘crack, crackle, pop’ of the glacier we were standing on as it crept over the bedrock below us.”
“I remember walking outside in mid-June, this incredible night sky above me, the Milky Way, nebulae, shooting stars and everything reflected in the endless snow around me, making the whole world glow purple. It’s easy to forget that you’re still on planet Earth. It was beautiful and terrifying at the same time.”
“I was sitting on the edge of a dinghy when several humpback whales surfaced and started feeding right next to me. I can hardly imagine feeling more alive or vulnerable than I did in that moment. And it makes me think about the abundance of life in Antarctica, but also its vulnerability.”
The exhibition includes three separate rooms, including one that combines audio recordings of the women with a slideshow of their black-and-white portraits.
The other sections include a video montage of women participating in the Antarctic program and a kaleidoscopic installation depicting the illusory atmospheric phenomena sometimes seen there.
Dr Nieboer said she wanted to use the exhibition to encourage a new generation of women to get involved in the Antarctic sector.
“Maybe they will be inspired and see themselves in Antarctic-related roles in the future,” she said.
“I hope they start to dream.”
The exhibition runs until 1 September at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart.
(Source: Michelle Hollister)
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