Lena C. Emery's fresh view of femininity in monograph Rie 理絵 (NSFW)

Lena C. Emery is a name in the photography industry that is usually met with the response “she’s amazing!” Not only is this certainly true, it is a statement proven in her new monograph, Rie 理絵. The publication’s title is taken from a main subject within the book, a woman named Rie, whose name aptly translates as ‘truth’ and ‘picture’.

The book follows a poetic narrative embarking “on an inherently female dialogue on the subject of revealing,” says Lena whose photography consistently presents a fresh view of femininity. “I was interested in understanding at what point when we reveal our bodies as women to a potential other, does the apparent vulnerability cross over into appreciation of the powerful notion of being naked and being oneself without an inner or outer surveyor present.” On the experience of creating the monograph Lena explains that, “watching Rie and the other nine women that I photographed, all of which were strangers to me and each other at the time and who had never been photographed in this way before, come to life as they slowly shed each layer of artifice, felt incredibly reassuring".

The photographer has always taken inspiration from Japanese culture, whether it be art or literature, culminating in a short story by the artist featured in the book. The monograph published by Kominek, is an edition of 750 and will launch at Claire De Rouen in London on 16th December from 6-8pm.