Dark Enough
Sandani Hiranya
We all carry that negative voice inside our mind. Thoughts we burry deep hidden beneath the layers of smiles and clothes. Words said to us that twirl in our mind on repeat. It’s easy to forget we are not alone in that. Every person looking at this image has their own set of words on repeat inside their mind that they wish they didn’t.
But that doesn’t make us weak.
While bringing together the women for this series, we all spent time thinking about that voice, and the importance of being vulnerable enough with each other to share it. To be human is to struggle, is to feel pain and overcome, to keep going even when things aren’t perfect. We all experience that, no matter our religion, ethnicity or age. It is our imperfections that make us human. And our compassion towards each other, and ourselves, that makes us humane.
An ongoing personal project that aims to look at that part of ourselves that we often keep hidden - Those voices inside our head and the pain we carry under our skin that others don’t see.
In this project we write them on the outside.
There is strength and connection in our willingness to be openly vulnerable about our struggles. These are the amazing people who are sharing their story, their pain, their voices, and the bad ass ways in which they reclaim and show and reclaim their strength.
YOU’RE CUTE WHEN YOU DON’T TALK
ROBIN When I was in my 20s, I spent a lot of time feeling self conscious about how I was being perceived; second guessing if I was too young and naive to be respected as an employee, a performer, a lover, etc. I often wondered if I was “too wet behind the ears” to deserve big opportunities. Now that I’m in my mid to late 30s, insecurity has all but shifted away from being “too young” to being “too old.” But I recognize that, as a woman, there isn’t necessarily a sweet spot. We emulate maturity in our youth and we emulate youth in our maturity. The truth of that pushes me away from gender and towards the fundamental human interest in finding strength, staying curious, keeping a sense of humor, and compassionately giving no fucks.
- Robin Wachsberger
Queen - Ramon Te Wake
I’ve known Ramon for a couple years now, after having the absolute pleasure of working along side her on the newly released film Rurangi. How someone can be so fierce and strong, and yet so kind, still leaves me in awe. As a leader in the trans community, she is an inspiration for an untold numbers of individuals. The pride, confidence and inner beauty she posses in this image was what I could only have hoped to capture, but in truth, she carries that with her everywhere and in every photo. Thank you for being such an inspiration and trusting me behind the lens.
