The Wounded Woman Project, A Martyrdom of Life

A biography, a tragedy and the overcome – dedicated to all the wounded women in the world.

At the age of eight years she was raped by one of her mother’s steadily changing friends. Her mother committed suicide at age of 30. The public welfare put her to a boarding school, and soon she and her sister were passed on to foster parents on a farm where both were treated like ‘cheap farm helpers’ , not like beloved kids.

Thereafter she went to Vienna, Austria’s capital – a young, inexperienced, but pretty girl from the country side exposed to the jungle of Austria’s largest city. Very soon she was introduced to the wrong people and spent some time in a gang.

In her twenties she was married to a very violent guy who was drunken 7 days a week and who spent most of his time in prison. He bashed her in a regular way, broke her nose, threw her out of the window and tried her to kill in the bathtub. She survived 4 assassinations by him. She decided to escape and leave the guy together with the 5 years old son.

Her husband got mad, splashed a bottle of fuel at her and lighted her up. She incurred third degree-burns on her whole upper body. Her husband was put into prison and killed himself (or likely was killed by other prisoners).

After years of hospitalization she decided to start to work as a nurse by herself in Austria’s largest hospital, helping others. Besides her day job she does modelling as a semi-professional. Up to her 40′s there have been only very few sunny days in her life.

In collaboration with Austria’s leading female magazine ‘Woman’ she wrote down her first auto-biography entitled ‘Willkommen in der Hölle’ (Welcome to Hell). The book is available in German language only.

This happened 20 years ago and at present she is working on a second book. A follow-up, something titled like ‘The Overcome – The years after’. Whilst the first book is more of a diary of hell, the latter one shall give hope to all the wounded people (especially women). To show that is possible to overcome – to find life, love and laugh again.

The photographs shown are especially dedicated to the tragedy of her life. Some of the images will be used to illustrate the upcoming book. And the images will be used in small exhibitions, underlining her book readings and signings.

People might think the images are all about erotic, or at least too erotic. Sexual violence was always a part of her life, and she was raped more than once, including forced sex by her husband. Some of the images should be viewed with that in mind.

 

‘Wounded Woman Project’ featured in Austria’s ‘WOMAN’ magazine – Februar 2009

WOMAN, published bi-monthly, is Austria’s leading and largest women- and lifestyle magazine with 540.000 readers. The WOMAN magazine runs a 3-page story in the February 03/2009 issue, titled ‘Model in spite of scars’. The feature is about her life, her model career, her first autobiography ‘Willkommen in der Hölle’ (Welcome to Hell), her upcoming new book, and about the actual ‘Wounded Woman Project’.

 

‘Wounded Woman Project’ – Some testimonials:

“Provoking work that invites you into the world of Reinfried Marass. Beautiful Art Photos. I found the story on “The Wounded Woman Project, A Martyrdom of Life” very moving, especially as a woman. I find Reinfried has shot her with a delicate and insightful hand. In the photo of “Welcome to Hell” , it seems to hold an inner eye. The wall is broken like her on the side that is darker. The other side is less broken and is near the light. She, still touching the darker side is now mainly on the lighter side and is facing the light, a sign of hope. She reminds me a bit of Edith Piaf, who also had a very difficult life. I thank Reinfried Marass for sharing his eye of the world. I hope he finds time to do more work, like the photos of her” – Sharon

“I was taught early on in life that art should be functional. Art should tell a story and the art of storytelling – a dying art it seems – was fully accomplished in “The Wounded Woman Project, A Martyrdom of Life” and for that, I am most grateful. It is beautiful work and for sure, many will see it as an exploration of eroticism or artsy photography without delving deeper into the symbolism or the actual story — another form of whitewashing. What struck me is the photographer, Reinfried Marass, actually did the work and set out to show or tell her story through photographs. No flinching, no camera games, just images filled with symbolism that will lead you from despair to triumph.” – Angela Odom / State & Lake

“Reinfried Marass paints the inner world of her on a photographic canvas. The photos make you feel her experiences. He takes you on a trip through her life of despair, hard knocks, wrecks and then on to reflection, life wisdom & exhilaration for living the life of a lady” – Muse Memo

“Amazingly beautiful and vivid photos. The story is as compelling as the photos. He captures much depth in his photos and has a genuine artistic eye which allows the viewer as closest to the soul of his subject as possible” – Cher / Writer

Related links:
Fiction by  Shadia Alem and Raja Alem after the photograph ‘Welcome To Hell’
Poem by Annie Rink after the photograph ‘Broken Barbie Doll’
Para Encenderlos by Silvia Camerotto