In/Visible

“People just have to accept me the way I am. And I actually love myself now. I have learned to appreciate inner beauty more, even in other people. So I am trying to be proud of what is in my heart.” Flavia, Uganda.

Ann-Christine Woehrl visited survivors of fire and acid attacks in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Uganda. In her portraits she does not present them as tragic victims, but as the personalities they have always been and still are despite their unimaginable suffering. The result is an insightful ‘almost private’ album that challenges and most of all inspires. It is an homage to women that master their unique lives with humility and heroic strength.

After the photographer had accompanied the 25-year-old Neehaari in India for ten days, Neehaari took off her veil, which she was wearing constantly to protect herself from being stared at in the streets, and said: “Today is my personal day of independence. I will stop hiding myself.”

By choosing a neutral black background for the portraits in the first part of the book, the photographer left out any reference to the social environment of these women and provided them with a safe and also special – even solemn – frame. In the second part of the book she takes a closer look at one survivor in each of the six countries capturing her everyday life, her will to survive, moments of hopelessness and despair as well as those of joy and happiness. The photographic work is framed by an essay and six interviews with the six women.

Text in English and German.

Contents: In/Visible; We Are Visible; My Name Is Farida; My Name Is Neehaari; My Name Is Chantheoun; My Name Is Renuka; My Name Is Nusrat; My Name Is Flavia.