Franki Raffles was a British feminist photographer best known for her project Women Workers of the World, documenting women’s lives and labour globally. Raised in a creative household by gallerist Gillian Raffles, she combined photography with activism, producing powerful images now held in the University of St Andrews' archive.
Who was Franki Raffles?
Franki Raffles was a pioneering British social documentary photographer and feminist activist. Known for her powerful black-and-white imagery, Raffles dedicated her career to documenting the lives of women around the world. Working largely outside the mainstream art world, she focused on social justice themes, capturing the realities of women’s labour, health, and inequality. Her work is grounded in a strong political commitment to feminist practice, and she remains an important figure in the history of British documentary photography.
What was Franki Raffles’ Most Famous Work?
Raffles is best known for Women Workers of the World, a far-reaching photographic project developed during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Through this body of work, she photographed women’s working lives in locations including Russia, Zimbabwe, China, and Scotland, highlighting both global connections and cultural differences in gendered labour. This project formed the basis for exhibitions and campaigns in collaboration with organisations like Oxfam and Zero Tolerance. Her compelling images were often used to support advocacy and education, bridging the space between activism and art.
Franki Raffles’ Life and Legacy
Born in London in 1955, Raffles grew up in a family deeply engaged in the arts. Her mother, Gillian Raffles (née Posnansky), was the founder of the Mercury Gallery, a pioneering space for modern British figurative art in the post-war period. Surrounded by creative influences, Franki developed a strong visual awareness and an independent critical voice.
Raffles studied Philosophy at the University of St Andrews before moving into photography as a means of social commentary. She worked extensively with women’s organisations and was closely aligned with feminist movements in the UK during the 1980s and 90s. Though her career was tragically cut short by her sudden death at the age of 39, her photographic archive continues to be exhibited and studied. The University of St Andrews now houses her collection, ensuring her work remains accessible for future generations. Franki Raffles’ legacy endures as a powerful example of how photography can be used as a tool for both art and activism.
