'I am Woman (hear me roar)’ is a deeply meaningful and powerful project, showcasing the resilience and strength of women whom I greatly admire for the kindness, joy and inspiration they bring to others despite their personal life challenges; child loss, cancer, grief, alcohol abuse, depression, self harm, suicide, loneliness and bullying. I photographed some women in a state of vulnerability which added layers to the images, showing their strength, but also the quiet, internal battles faced. This project captures the depth of experience that defines each woman’s resilience. Using film brought that timeless, ethereal quality to the images and helped to elevate the emotional depth and rawness of the moment. Film, with its unique grain and colour reproduction, has a way of capturing vulnerability in a soft yet profound way and creates a sense of connection between the viewer and the woman in the image, allowing her story to be felt rather than just seen. This project was inspired by the words from the song by Helen Reddy.
I AM STRONG
I was 21 years old when my beautiful baby girl was born sleeping, in that moment I felt like my heart had been ripped out, everything I had dreamed about taken away. I felt like I had been given a second chance in life to be the best mummy possible when I gave birth to my twin boys; we enjoyed 20 months together until Arthur suddenly passed away leaving that feeling of no hope again but I've had to dig deep for my son Tommy who has spastic cerebral palsy; I had to find strength I didn't know I had to continue.
I AM INVINCIBLE
I lost my dad to suicide this year and life has become very different, full of 'what ifs' and learning to cope with new thoughts and emotions daily is a challenge which is making me stronger than I thought possible. As an artist, I throw myself into my creative passions which offer me a healing safe happy place.
I AM WOMAN
Finding out I had cancer was an incredibly dark time of my life especially for my partner and daughter. It became a tough year with lockdown then losing my son whilst also caring for my housebound elderly mother without her knowing was so difficult. I lost my beloved mum last year such a tough time again but as they say life goes on and yes hear me roar!
