''This self-portrait series is the sum of a deep introspective process that led to my empowerment as a woman. I found respect, immersive beauty, and personal power by uncovering myself, petal after petal, feeling, sitting with myself, accepting. - GALINA SEMENOVA
''Journey Into Thyself''
GALINA SEMENOVA
While working on this self-portraits series, I spent a lot of time with myself, contemplating and questioning different aspects of my life, particularly the rules and boundaries I set for myself. Who would I find?
A key part of my process involves inquiry and reflection. With other projects, this is a difficult task, and it was even more challenging when considering myself as the subject. Could I truly confront myself, even the darkest parts, and remain unbiased?
I decided to approach this challenge with the assumption that all of my rules and boundaries had no merit, poking holes in them from all sides. What would femininity mean to me now? Who would I find?
Growing up in post-Soviet Russia, I subscribed to the traditional conventions that a woman must get married in her early 20s, have children before 30, and silently endure abuse her entire life. I was taught it was humiliating to be single for long periods of time.
This story is from the December 2020 edition of Lens Magazine.
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This story is from the December 2020 edition of Lens Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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