about book | andrew barnes | yvonne lumsden | contributors | pangia
starting the heart: the story behind the book
This book was inspired by a conversation we had with a group of women on one of our Awakening Within sexuality and personal development retreats. The group was discussing how we would like to see more positive imagery of women’s genitals, and the idea of a photographic book emerged.
With society’s longstanding history of shame and embarrassment about sexuality, and an increasing number of women choosing to have genital cosmetic surgery, the concept for the book evolved into telling stories and providing information, as well as imagery.
Our intention with this book is to give women the opportunity to make informed choices about their bodies and how they feel about them. We want to provide a source of information and education using creative photography, artwork, storytelling, diagrams and thought-provoking information. Although at times this book may be challenging to read and digest, Heart of the Flower may well change the way you see your body and how you have come to feel about yourself.
We hope that people will share Heart of the Flower in the spirit it is intended. It may be a beautiful gift between friends or lovers, a useful resource for parents, sex therapists and counsellors, or perhaps as an educational tool in schools, health clinics or medical practices.
We honour the women who shared their Yonis and stories with us. These women came to us through word-of-mouth, from friends, family, workshop participants and sometimes were brought to us by the universe. Photographed in Australia and the US, they are aged from 24 to 65 and come from all different backgrounds — Indigenous Australian, Native American Indian, Japanese, European and African. There are women who have had children, pierced women, women who’ve had labioplasty, pregnant women and more.
Many of them arrived for their photo shoots in fear, while others arrived with friends, excited and celebrating the making of the book and full of their Yoni power. We set dates for the photo shoots and put the word out, happy to photograph whoever showed up and promising that none of the images would be airbrushed or adjusted in any way. Just as they might if they were going to a regular photo shoot, many women chose to get their hair and nails done before the big day. Hence, you’ll notice a lot of women in the book have had Brazilian waxes or have shaving rash from last-minute touch ups. There may even be glitter.
Everyone involved has felt a sense of community in creating something special and important throughout this journey. For us to watch these women take charge of their bodies and their sexuality — to see them step through their fear and stand in their power and say “yes, this is me” — has been an honour for us and we’ve both been deeply touched by the experience.
“Healthy body image needs to be based on how our bodies make us feel and the enjoyment they give us, rather than on how our bodies look to others.” — Andrew Barnes 2009
