Growing up, I knew my Grandmother and namesake was a film actress and made amazing chocolate chip cookies. But mostly, we knew her as Grandma Redhead. Loving film myself, I studied filmmaking in school but soon my photography and radio past times took over my professional life as I realized my love of telling people's stories through image and sound.
My obsession with the 1920s manifested in my first photography show, The Original Hustler, in 2006. Re-imagining the hidden world of Speakeasys, gangsters, spies and pin-up girls, the show also played with traditional power and gender roles, exploring pin-up boys, women who dressed up as men to pursue their professional goals, and The powerful Godmother in place of the traditional Godfather. Featured on Fashion Television, TVO, XTRA! and receiving critic's pick in Now Magazine, the show was both a personal and professional success.
But my fascination with the mystery and glamour of the early 20th century was not satisfied. I continued to shoot pin-ups, began burlesquing and modeling, hosted cabaret shows and concerts, and produced the radio show Sex, Outlaws and Rock n' Roll. Deciding to dedicate my photography company FiftyTwo Pinups to my grandmother, inspired by the strength and personal conviction being an independent working woman took in the 1920s, I delved into her scrapbook to find out more about her and tell her story accurately. I was stunned by what I found.
Film was just a small facet of her performance repertoire. She was a radio host and performer, a pinup girl and cabaret host. Our lives were mirrors of each other from a different era, somehow I'd become my grandmother without even knowing that's who she'd been. It's the first time I wondered if personality is passed through genes, just like red hair and blue eyes.
My next show Mi Manchi, was inspired by her and Les Demimondes at the turn of the century. Italian for "I miss you", Mi Manchi is a return to the mystery in sexy and strength in vulnerability.
Vintage boudoir has become my personal and professional obsession, with new works posted weekly on FiftyTwoPinups.com, while I continue to discuss good love and good music on Sex, Outlaws and Rock n' Roll (SLRRR.com.) Showcasing my work alongside my late grandmother's, in a show that celebrates women, independence and thinking outside the box, is both a humbling and exciting experience. I've never felt closer to her and think she would be honoured to be part of such a wonderful community of strong women and artists from the past century.
Paddy Jane http://www.fiftytwopinups.com/
My obsession with the 1920s manifested in my first photography show, The Original Hustler, in 2006. Re-imagining the hidden world of Speakeasys, gangsters, spies and pin-up girls, the show also played with traditional power and gender roles, exploring pin-up boys, women who dressed up as men to pursue their professional goals, and The powerful Godmother in place of the traditional Godfather. Featured on Fashion Television, TVO, XTRA! and receiving critic's pick in Now Magazine, the show was both a personal and professional success.
But my fascination with the mystery and glamour of the early 20th century was not satisfied. I continued to shoot pin-ups, began burlesquing and modeling, hosted cabaret shows and concerts, and produced the radio show Sex, Outlaws and Rock n' Roll. Deciding to dedicate my photography company FiftyTwo Pinups to my grandmother, inspired by the strength and personal conviction being an independent working woman took in the 1920s, I delved into her scrapbook to find out more about her and tell her story accurately. I was stunned by what I found.
Film was just a small facet of her performance repertoire. She was a radio host and performer, a pinup girl and cabaret host. Our lives were mirrors of each other from a different era, somehow I'd become my grandmother without even knowing that's who she'd been. It's the first time I wondered if personality is passed through genes, just like red hair and blue eyes.
My next show Mi Manchi, was inspired by her and Les Demimondes at the turn of the century. Italian for "I miss you", Mi Manchi is a return to the mystery in sexy and strength in vulnerability.
Vintage boudoir has become my personal and professional obsession, with new works posted weekly on FiftyTwoPinups.com, while I continue to discuss good love and good music on Sex, Outlaws and Rock n' Roll (SLRRR.com.) Showcasing my work alongside my late grandmother's, in a show that celebrates women, independence and thinking outside the box, is both a humbling and exciting experience. I've never felt closer to her and think she would be honoured to be part of such a wonderful community of strong women and artists from the past century.
Paddy Jane http://www.fiftytwopinups.com/