Featured photo of Jane Jose by Kiren.
Jane Jose’s PLACES WOMEN MAKE tells the stories of women who have shaped and are shaping Australian cities – its buildings, spaces, and social and political agendas.
PLACES WOMEN MAKE features a forward by Wendy McCarthy AO. In regards to our own country it has a rather Sydney bias and concentrates mainly on the capital cities.
Internationally it looks at major cities such as London, New York and Singapore and the changes in their cityscapes and environment.
Jose works as an urbanist, author and Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Community Foundation.
This small, easy to carry book is divided into four sections, – A Woman’s Place, Women Designers, Places We Love and Urban Heroines.
Marion Mahoney Griffin who was heavily involved in the design of our federal capital Canberra is mentioned throughout .
Jane Jose takes a vivid , fresh look at city life, great places and the unsung urban heroines who made them. She explores the problems of designing cities, the places we need and suggests urban life would be richer if women played more of a role in city design.
The problem of misogyny in the architectural world and training is examined. The book asks the big question – why are there so few women architects ? And of those who are working , why hasn’t their work been acknowledged more?!
Insight is provided into the cut throat world of politics and how female Mayors such as Lucy Hughes Turnbull AO and Clover Moore have helped preserve our architectural heritage and provide public places for enjoyment, and refreshment of mind, body and spirit.
The history of Brisbane through a woman’s eyes (for example, Contessa Diamentina Roma Bowen) and Adelaide (with particular mention of Dame Roma Mitchell) is sketched.
In Sydney the major influence and legacy of Mrs Macquarie is charted. Then there is the exciting history of Melbourne too, with the work of Leckie Ord, Winsome McCaughey amongst many, the changing face of Federation Square and also for example the Franklins in Tasmania.
In Adelaide, the inspiring work of Jane Lomax Smith is highlighted.
Internationally the work of the late Jackie Kennedy Onassis is mentioned, and we are taken right through into the present with the work of Kathryn Gustafson and Zahid Hahid. The inspiring work of Jane Jacobs is also discussed.
Jose’s book also points to the critical importance of small spaces being saved through community action- she looks at the work of Stephanie Alexander, Elizabeth Farrelly and others. Acknowledgement is also made of the crusading work of Juanita Nielsen.
From Baranagaroo to small parks or gardens, or art galleries that have been saved,– several are catalogued, for example, the inspirational work of Judith Nielsen of White Rabbit Gallery, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, Gene Sherman, Margaret Olley, Tanya Crothers, and Darani Lewers, Lynda Dorrington, Wendy Whitely, Tanya Ursula Hayward are also mentioned, to name just a few.
There are some fascinating illustrations -all in black and white- and a great table of contents at the front. It was a shame that the book did not feature an index in the book.
PLACES WOMEN MAKE acknowledges the mostly unsung women place-makers of Australian history, but also points to how the work of current and future female designers and planners will play a hugely very important role in making our cities exciting and vibrant places to live in.
Details
Category Arts, Architecture and Design
Format Paperback
Size 210 x 135 mm
ISBN 9781743053942- Wakefield Press
Price: AU$29.95 including GST
Physical Description: x, 213 pages : portraits ; 21 cm.
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references.
http://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product.php?productid=1271&cat=2&page=6