Olivier Martel: " Femmes Eternelles, Women throughout the world "

Over 35 years of photo-journalism, French photographer Olivier Martel has discovered many fascinating cultures. He became interested in subjects such as the nomadic tribes of Northern Africa, Ivory Coast fortune-tellers, the Order of Malta throughout the world, malaria across continents, Orthodox religion in Russia, the Cistercian Order in Europe and more.....
Among all these faces that crossed Martel's path, several marked him for life. He was able to photograph women, far from the cliches of fashion. His aim was to show an honest portrayal of each of these women, in their daily combats. He found the same grace among the peasant women of Guatemala as among Khmer dancers or Moroccan fortune-tellers. Today it is this work that Olivier Martel wishes to share.

" Femmes Eternelles, Women throughout the world " is a series of portraits that capture women in their intimate moments, and reveal their unique beauty and individuality.
" Femmes Eternelles " is the 24th exhibition to be hosted by the French Senate on the railings of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. The exhibition features 80 photographs and coincides with the publication of " Femmes Eternelles," by Editions Philippe Rey.

Morocco, Taghjijt village, 1977

Ivory Coast, 1992

Abidjan, Vridi beach, 1979

Singapore, Ta Lin Touya, Chinese actress, 1997

France, 1991

Vietnam, Hanoi, 1994

Tunisia, wedding in Zarzis, 1975

Ethiopia, 1993

Russia, Kiji Island, Lake Onega, 1995

Ivory Coast, 1979

Irland, Dublin, Abbey Theatre, 1975

Femmes Eternelles is on view at The Luxembourg Gardens, March 8 - June 15, 2011

Courtesy Olivier Martel and Editions Philippe Rey