For years I have photographed women in a state of either rising or suppression, not fully knowing why.  These images began to make sense to me as an undercurrent of repressed emotions.  At the age of nineteen, I nearly lost my life in one of many beatings received from a college boyfriend.  As is the model, that incident was preceded by many years of sexual and physiological abuse and harassment.  Boundaries can be ruptured by traumatic experiences leaving us feeling undeserving of a boundary line itself or leading us to numbness and amnesia about having lines.  Once I realized that my voice was trying to express itself subconsciously, I decided to embrace it. 

I felt protective of my own daughter, wanting a life experience for her void of these violations.   I began this project by photographing her along with two of her friends that are like daughters to me.   We came up with the concept of a 2nd Skin that had to be worn, and often battled, in order to survive.  

I then expanded the project to women of other races and experiences. I collaborated with Amethyst Place, a living space created to give women with children, who have survived multiple difficulties, a chance to get on their feet with their children.  Many of these women choreographed how they wanted to portray what they felt internally, often using water, dance, and the 2nd Skin as a vehicle.  We also felt it was important to project rising up and through it.  The unconscious man was graciously played by my conscious partner Bruce.

The results became a meditative short film. 

The film is meant to be viewed in a contemplative state, in spaces like a yoga studio, while lying comfortably on a mat with bolsters to access the parasympathetic nervous system…. often difficult to access for a trauma survivor.  Audio is important as well, the music adds another layer.

The film premiered one week before the pandemic shutdown.

Below is a link to the full 18 minute film, followed by a series short clips.