From October 13th to November 21st 2015, Galerie Argentic presents an exhibition of around forty black and white photographs, vibrant and until now unpublished, by Pierre de Vallombreuse, timed with the publication of the eponymous book by Arthaud Publishing (Flammarion). The preview and book signing in the presence of the photographer will be held in the gallery on Tuesday, October 13th from 7pm to 10pm.

Western civilization still strives for the consideration of fully equal status between men and women, and despite the considerable progress made since the middle of the twentieth century, this remains a major topic for debate and social struggle.

The observation of isolated cultures and rare micro-societies - considered as more traditional from a Western point ot view - in regions remote and untouched by globalization, reveals astonishing and clearly progressive approaches.

Indeed, in some of these cultures, the trends seem to be reversed: women occupy a central place in the social and spiritual foundations, preserving or advocating equality between the sexes, with total mutual respect. There are models for society where the position of the women is not a battle.

Pierre de Vallombreuse went to meet these unkown people, specfically in South-East Asia. From these single encounters, he shot poignant photographic portraits, full of strength, life and truth and from which our side of the world should take essential lessons from.

For Souveraines, Pierre de Vallombreuse encountered four of these South-East Asian cultures where female lines play a decisive role. Societies where being born a woman is not the equivalent of a conviction or punishment but is a real blessing.

In the Khasi society, a matrilineal and matrilocal culture of North-East India, children bear the name of their mother and the youngest daughter of the siblings inherit all the land and family properties.

In Palawan society, a Philippines tribe, there are very few hierarchies, men and women live in perfect equality, paying particular importance to the noble values of goodwill, generosity and mutual assistance. In south-west China, the status of women is unique in the Moso society. The people practice all forms of Matriarchy and are avuncular since the education of children is entrusted to the maternal uncles.

Finally, the Badjao, Malaysia, abolish all forms of hierarchy and advocate an egalitarian and libetarian civilization.

Captivating and intriguing, these girls, young women, mothers and grandmothers prove - through the pictures and the regard of Pierre de Vallombreuse - their freedom and their fulfillment, in the most remote areas of the globe.