The Raw Beauty Project made a stop in the Los Angeles area, Saturday. A crowd of over 200 people filled Paul Mitchell’s School in Pasadena for the one-night show of the travelling photography exhibit celebrating women with disabilities.
The Project was hosted by producer and actress Angela Rockwood and event co-founder Dr. Susan Solman. The gala featured 25 disabled models to advocate inclusion in terms of what is considered “beautiful” and embracement of one’s self.
“This means so much to my heart and soul because when you are positioned in a situation that’s catastrophic, it means you have to rise above it and push the limits,” Rockwood said. “The theme for this year’s Raw Beauty Project in Los Angeles is all about power, beauty and passion and this is definitely three elements that all of these women (models) have.”
Among the audience was Patricia Perez, an award-winning independent filmmaker and one of the subjects in the exhibition. Perez, who is working on a documentary about the Raw Beauty Project, said she is making the film because the women involved deserve to have their stories told.
“I happened to see an article about the New York exhibit and I immediately felt the connection,” Perez said. “I wanted to make a film documenting this incredible project further and extend the awe-inspiring magic of it; to bring its message of strength and empowerment to women; past the walls of the exhibit rooms and make it available everywhere.”
In addition to traditional gallery prints, the exhibition also featured tactile printing as a way for the visually-impaired to better experience the works. These types of images use raised surfaces so visually-impaired individuals can feel them along with other members of the audience, much like braille.
