"This is an important book...each chapter vividly captures both
the techniques used and the social context in which the women's
wares are crafted...a lushly illustrated volume with a political
message...The book opens with a thoughtful foreword by Alice Walker...recommended
as a valuable addition to most library collections...."
Library
Journal
"Their book is a stunning tribute to women artisans...Gianturco
and Tuttle draw us along on their journeys...Gianturco's narrative
takes the reader beyond statistics on poverty and literacy to create
vivid portraits of the women micro-entrepreneurs...Accompanying
the text are hundreds of dazzling color photos which bring the women
to life..."
Women's
Review of Books
"This incredibly rich book is filled with photographs and stories
of women...Tuttle's contribution to each chapter is an entry from
her journal, making us feel we are a part of the authors' remarkable
experiences...Alice Walker says, "I knew these women to be ancestors
and mothers and sisters, girlfriends and aunts; I knew they had
been with me forever." We can all feel that connection with the
women in In Her Hands."
Bloomsbury
Review
"Sweeping in scope, In Her Hands: Craftswomen Changing the World combines stunning photography of artisans and their work with equally
compelling and poignant text about the determination of poor women
to transform the future for themselves, their children, and yes,
even the world. With tremendous sensitivity and a knack for engaging
the reader with their vivid storytelling, Gianturco and Tuttle document
these and countless other courageous acts."
Fiberarts
"The result of their dramatic journey is In Her Hands: Craftswomen
Changing the World, an important and lovingly produced 256-page
book that tells in words and 260 powerful color photos, the stories
of 18 communities of women on four continents in 12 countries..."
Interweave
Knits
"A glorious celebration of poor women in a variety of cultures...The
kaleidoscope of photographs is truly amazing...Gianturco and Tuttle
succeed at bringing these women to life."
Chicago
Sun Times
"The scope of this project is staggering-but what Gianturco and
Tuttle have done, via journal entries, text, interviews and 260
color photographs, is to coherently document the impact of micro-enterprise
on women around the world."
Center
for Photographic Projects, What's Happening
"A stunning collection of color images and stories..."
San
Francisco Chronicle
"...captures the art and the dauntless spirit of the world's poorest
women, making what could be a grim tale into one of hope and admiration."
Denver
Post
"stunning photographs..."
Chicago
Tribune
"Take a good long look at In Her Hands: Craftswomen Changing
the World, a striking new book photographed and written by Gianturco
and Tuttle..."
Business
Week
In Her Hands is a powerful photographic celebration of courageous
women around the world. We rejoice in their hopes and dreams and
in the beauty of their work. This book will inspire all of us to
support them in their struggles to bring better lives to their children
through the crafts they create.
Susan
Fisher Sterling, Chief Curator
National
Museum of Women in the Arts
In Her Hands is an original look at how creative craftmaking
can enrich and beautify life while improving social and economic
conditions. But this is only the beginning. Everything about this
book is an inspiration. The stories and the work of these craftswomen
worldwide inspire wonder and admiration for their diverse skills
and their humanity; and the accomplished photography and personal
text by Paola Gianturco and Toby Tuttle are a moving testament to
the power of love and belief.
Lean
Bendavid-Val, Senior Editor,
National
Geographic Books;
author
of Propaganda and Dreams
I am excited about In Her Hands, an extraordinary book
whose scope is international but whose beautiful photographs and
stories are intimate. The book, inspired by the 1995 United Nations
Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, highlights women artisans'
lives and contributions and shows us all how to value their creative
expression, which is essential to ensuring their participation in
a globalizing economy. In Her Hands demonstrates how critical
women artisans are to the diversity, culture and the economies of
their countries and to the world.
Joanne
Sandler, Chief, OLRD
United
Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
In Her Hands is a personally and sensitively written book
illustrated by beautiful, intimate photographs. It is a tribute
to the many strengths of women worldwide and to their ability to
overcome tremendous negative odds by asserting themselves and harnessing
their potentials to create better societies and improved conditions
for their families. Gianturco and Tuttle take us directly into the
lives of these people, giving us glimpses of their lifestyles, their
passions and their hopes...with an addendum that suggests ways in
which direct action can be taken to help these women and others,
In Her Hands is essential material for opening minds to the
ethical demands of our new millennium.
Stephen
P. Huyler, anthropologist and author
Painted
Prayers: Women's Art in Village India and
Meeting
God: Elements of Hindu Devotion
Through vivid photographs and moving observations, In Her Hands
brings into clear view the ingenuity of the world's craftswomen.
Their creativity is inspiring not only in the beauty of their products
but also for the way these women sustain their local cultures while
supporting their children's journeys into literacy and greater opportunities.
A spirit of female community shines though in these pages, which
document how collective efforts can empower women and their families.
Their crafts, like this book, provide a gift for all the world to
treasure.
Estelle
Freedman, Chair
Feminist
Studies, Stanford University
This is a book of hands and stories they tell. The authors give
us a graceful and unadulterated glimpse into the lives of distant
women in far away countries. We see their colors, taste their foods,
hear their voices. We see how they take their destinies into their
own hands and weave a web of greater privilege for their children
as they spin and span their tradition. The elegance of their spirit
filters through the pages as their crafts filter through their hands.
They call out to us and we answer. In Her Hands is two hands
up to the sky.
Alev Lytle
Croutier, author
Harem:
The World Behind the Veil
Palace of
Tears
Seven Houses
La Poupee
In Her Hands takes the reader on an amazing journey to Bolivia,
Guatemala, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia. As I read,
I felt I was visiting the women of these and other countries, watching
them paint magnificent flowers on their houses, create dolls, purses,
and jewelry with beads, knot fantastically rich rugs, dye clothing,
weave finely colored fabrics. The book's pages burst forth at every
turn with the vibrant colors of the women's crafts and their lives.
The photography is stunning. Most moving of all to me was the deep
commitment on the part of the craftswomen in all the countries to
use their earnings for the education of their children, and in particular,
their concern for the advancement of their female children. This
is a book I plan to keep by my side to look at for inspiration for
my own work, a gift I will give to friends, a treasure trove; and
more than a book on marvelous crafts, it is a study of the economic
ingenuity and priorities of women.
Susan Krieger,
sociologist and author
The Family
Silver: Essays on Relationships among Women