Sharon Eilon is an Israeli-based photographer specializing in documentary photography, street photography, and photojournalism. Her journey into photography began after a health crisis that led her to seek treatment in India. This transformative experience not only restored her health but also shifted her perspective on life. The phrase “appreciating life” became a genuine motivation for her to pursue her passions, with photography emerging as her greatest love.
Intrigued by the diversity and shared threads of human experience, Sharon aims to capture the rich spectrum of life—celebrating both its wonders and struggles. As a visual storyteller, she focuses on the everyday lives of people around the world, documenting societies and cultures through the individuals who comprise them.
Her work has been showcased in galleries across the globe, including Paris, Tokyo, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Venice, Athens, and Tel Aviv. It has been featured in notable photography publications such as the “Color Awards Book 2023” by Dodho Magazine, “Urban Unveils the City and Its Secrets,” FonoNostrum Magazine, The Pictorial-List, and more.
Sharon’s photography has garnered recognition in numerous international competitions, earning awards such as Best Series Finalist at the Exibart Street Contest (4th edition), a gold medal at PISPA 2023, honorable mention at IPA 2023, finalist at the Urban Photo Awards 2023, a gold medal at PX3 2022, and category winner at the 20th JMCA Award.
Website: www.sharoneilon.com
Instagram: @sharon.eilon.photography
“Women of Valor”
Women’s Role in the Monotheistic Religions
Elion’s photography series focuses on exploring various religions and cultures while emphasizing their shared humanity. It highlights that while practicing religion is most often the right and obligation for men, women’s presence at significant religious events remains limited. In this on-going project, titled “Women of Valor”, The intention is to shine a spotlight on the contributions and experiences of women of faith.
Patricia Lanza : Discuss the experiences of these three religions and the role of women within them?
Sharon Eilon : In my visual exploration of various themes, religions and rituals stand out as particularly compelling subjects. My photography delves into the rich tapestry of different faiths and cultures, capturing their rituals, celebrations, and customs. However, after attending numerous religious events, I noticed a recurring issue in my work. A review of my photographs from significant gatherings across all three major monotheistic religions revealed a consistent bias: in most cases men predominated the photographs. Even in contemporary settings, women’s roles in these key religious events often appear marginalized. Frequently, they are found on the periphery, tending to children while men engage in prayer, study, or ritual practices.
How can cultural traditions shape the role of women in religious contexts, influencing their contribution?
S.E. : In many patriarchal societies, women are often sidelined and viewed as subordinate. While they manage households and nurture children, significant expressions of faith – such as certain rituals – are typically reserved for men. These norms leave women to observe from the sidelines, seeking to express their spirituality through more subdued means. Unfortunately, this tendency is a common thread among orthodox communities across various religions, persisting despite global advancements in women’s rights.
The fact that religious rules and writings in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have historically been authored and interpreted by men how has this effected women’s participation?
S.E. : The historical dominance of men in interpreting religious texts has profoundly impacted women’s roles across these faiths. This long-standing male oversight has created a ripple effect, entrenching patriarchal structures within religious communities. Consequently, leadership and influential positions remain largely occupied by men, further entrenching male dominance in religious life and rituals, diminishing women’s visibility and involvement in these domains.
What are you looking to do with this series, and how will you expand it going forward?
S.E. : Through this ongoing project, I aim to highlight women’s roles in religious events, striving to normalize their presence in the public sphere of faith by increasing their visibility. While some women may find themselves in the background, others assert their desire to participate actively, consistently demonstrating their own unique expressions of devotion and spreading messages of faith and hope.
Moving forward, I hope to expand the series by investigating women’s roles in non-monotheistic religions. I am currently researching the role of women in Buddhism, aiming toward capturing the nuanced perspectives of Buddhist monks and scholars regarding the female “thilashin” (Buddhist nuns) in Burma (Myanmar) during my next photographic endeavor.
