She Knew She Could (2017) Giclee on Hahnemuhle Pearl Paper in eds: medium 60 x 80cm (15); large 90 x 120cm (10); XL 120 x 160cm (7), XXL 150 x 190cm (3). All +2AP. Affordable Small Limited Eds on POD Satin Paper also available.
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“People never sing, except in the bathroom. Birthing women also make their natural sounds next to running bath water. There is something about the power of water. People are drawn to water, spas, and sacred streams, and so are women in labour.” - Michel Odent
This staged piece was created in response to a snapshot found on social media, where the camera is at level with a woman in French plaits, almost a hair not out of place, wearing a bikini, and surprisingly big earrings. A dog peers comically over the side of the pool. If it were not for the cord visible round the baby she holds, one would not think it could be a plausible birth scene, for we are used to the drama and the damsel being rescued by obstretics. Consequently we respond to such images with internet speak, 'wtf'? A nonchalant woman who looks all the world as though she could be on a sun lounger?
In the modern phenomenon of communities on mums' chat forums, Instagram and Facebook, women share private photos and stories with each other in a way that speak of a commonality of homebirth and waterbirth, with access to so many details of women’s private lives that would never have been the case, or at least so immediately accessible in the past.
This piece was shot as an initial attempt/test which led to making of official waterbirth piece in series, Aquadural
It is featured in the video for Aquadural (linked below) where you can watch the making of this piece and learn about why it was not included in the series officially. This piece is still available to those who wish to purchase a print edition.