PHOTOGRAPHY
Capturing the power of womanhood When stylist, artist, and all-around badass Connie Mrotek told me that she wanted to produce a female-only photo collaboration celebrating unconventional beauty and the strength of women in our community, I thought, “Hell yes.” Words by COLLEEN EVERSMAN
Last year’s Black Magik Woman was a collaboration by
But this is really about being a woman and the beauty
five photographers (myself included) and five models.
inside of all of us.
After shooting our individual perspectives, we had our work printed and showcased at the Urban Outfitters in
Why the name Black Magik Woman?
uptown Minneapolis. The turnout and reception was
The name comes from a song, first performed by
such a hit that Connie decided to produce a sequel.
Fleetwood Mac and made popular by Santana, called
I spoke to Connie about the “what” and “why” of Black
“Black Magic Woman.” It’s a man singing about this
Magik Woman, and here’s what she had to say.
beautiful woman who is so mysterious and enchanting,
How would you describe the history and evolution of Black Magic Woman? What inspired its inception?
she puts a spell on him. As women, we are more in touch with spirits, energies, the moon and stars than men. Throughout history, we have been accused of being witches like its a bad thing,
I have a background in art and fashion and wanted to
but really it’s because men don’t fully understand us,
do a project or event that was more art-centered, as
and probably never will; and that is totally okay!
opposed to fashion-centered. As I was brainstorming
There’s a really great movement happening in New
ideas, I realized how many of my female friends
York, a group of women that call themselves Witches
are artists, and I wanted to promote a project that
of Bushwick. I would absolutely love for this project to
empowered us to not only show our talents, but to show
evolve into something like what they are doing. It gives
how powerful we are together.
me all the good feels.
I think so many women are afraid to work together,
so much better to support each other than to tear each
It takes a lot of energy, patience, and time to produce a project like this. What are some insights you’ve garnered from this experience?
other down. It made sense to do an all female project,
CM: I have learned so much from this project so far. It
highlighting that magic in us all. I did want to represent
is so inspiring and rewarding to see all of these women
many different types of women: white, black, Asian,
come together and make something that is so well-
straight, gay, single, married, parents, non-parents, etc.
received and positive. We all get excited for each other
or automatically put up a competitive wall; but really, there is room for us all to grow and flourish, and it feels
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