Photographer Jo Farrell is on a mission to photograph a dying fragment of Chinese culture: foot binding.
For more than eight years now the photographer and cultural anthropologist has spent time in rural Shandong, documenting some of the last remaining survivors of an almost-lost tradition.
Her black and white photographs are simple, stunning, and speak volumes of this dying practice that started as far back as the Song Dynasty.
The practice of foot binding, which was banned in China in 1911 but carried on until women had the bandages forcibly removed, results in feet that are disfigured for life as the toes are broken beneath the soles of the feet.
Jo has photographed and interviewed 50 women with bound feet in remote areas of China, the majority of whom were farm workers from peasant families living in rural areas. And here are some of the stunning results:
Jo’s goal is an impressive one: to have a complete record of the lives of women with bound feet that goes beyond the foot and is there for generations to come.The venture, which Jo calls “Living History”, has so far been self-funded from the proceeds of her photograph sales which she develops and prints herself.
But, with time running out to record this fascinating history, Jo has started a kickstarter campaign to raise funds so the project can be completed and documented in a book.
Sadly, with the women involved in the project all aged in their 80s and 90s, their health and memories are failing.
This leaves Jo with an extraordinary fight on her hands – to document this tradition before it disappears from both history and memory altogether.
Jo Farrell is an award-wining black and white documentary photographer and cultural anthropologist. Her kickstarter project, “Living History” aims to fund a month long expedition to photograph women and complete the documentation in Shandong Province – It can be accessed here. You can also follow her on Facebook here.
Top Comments
Many years ago while visiting a Chinese museum they had tiny little embroidered silk bags on display, little square sacks. The sign underneath said "shoes for women with bound feet".... SHOES???? Those women were effectively crippled with their feet being broken from a young age four to nine and the pain would have been horrendous. But it was considered *sexually* attractive to men. ???? Same as todays monstrous silicon breasts. Uuugh
I remember seeing an X-ray of a bound foot. it is permanently etched in my mind. today's obsession with stilettos is quite similar. just wait till they're 60! Even now they are having toe shortening, fillers just to supposedly look glam and 'vulnerable' in their heels. So similar to foot binding. There's a series on the ABC ATM dealing with all the modifications people do to their bodies and often regret. the presenter is a victim of an acid attack, first I thought she was a victim of too much cosmetic surgery. how wrong was I- should never prejudge.
Bodyshockers well worth a watch, on iView too.
Yes, I saw an x-ray of feet doubled into the shape of an upside down "v" and felt like crying for the victim. As for acid attacks!!!!! This is beyond *MONSTROUS* but more of the theme..... "if I can't have her, no one else will". Check this out, stories of horrendous suffering. Disclaimer, you'll need tissues. http://www.stopacidattacks....
Fascinating in it's barbarism. Those women's feet look like they'd be painful no matter what.