Natural Strength was created from an opportunity given to members of Phrame Wales Collective by the Senedd - National Assembly of Wales, to mark International Women’s Day 2020. The brief encouraged member to create work on the theme of ‘heroism in the everyday woman.’ 

Anteambulate : To walk before or in front of someone or something

In this modern world which so often feels oppressive and stifling, it is easy to feel pressured to be constantly on the go, always moving and consuming, the only thing that truly keeps me grounded, and perhaps the only thing that seems pure anymore, is nature.

When I first thought of heroism in the everyday woman, of what gives me and I know many other women strength, and the courage to carry on, I think of women’s relationships with nature, in all its modern and ancient origins. The perseverance of nature in the face of all the challenges that’s thrown at it, reminds me of the perseverance of women, now more than ever.

I owe my love of the outdoors to both my mother and father, however the older I got and the more I became aware of my place in the world as a woman, the more my relationship with nature seemed to alter also. We can’t deny that women carry a historically spiritual relationship with nature, from witches to woodland fairies and most importantly ‘Mother Nature’ herself, the nurturer, the provider, the ever-moving force.

It might not take courage for everyone, but it takes courage for me to walk out into nature alone. I have always been fascinated in the idea of the Flâneur: a man who wanders without purpose, saunters, strolls about and observes, for no other reason than pleasure. I can’t help feeling that as a woman I’m restricted somewhat in the role of the Flâneur. I feel as if I’m under pressure to be ‘safe’ , to watch my back, to be far more careful than a man who wanders alone. I prefer to go running outdoors instead, convinced that I’d look less suspicious or strange wandering around alone through fields if I’m wearing running leggings, as if I need a purpose to be alone. This feeling and experience is different for all women based on location, age and life experiences, but I know for me, it takes some self-encouragement to let myself enjoy nature alone. My head is plagued with true horror stories, myths and legends about what can happen to a woman alone in the woods, what horrible fate can await a woman alone, in general, but I can’t stay away.

Outside, one might recognize that the natural world was here long before us and will be here long after us, and it feels personal, and so far removed for every modern problem we face. I know that so many women before me have gone to the natural places I love and seen the same sunsets, the same Springs and starlings and have felt at peace. I wanted to convey some of that feeling through photography and make women think “I’ve felt that. It took courage for me to take that time for myself.”

On a smaller scale, nature has a way of nurturing women through our own gardens also. I love to grow flowers and vegetables, to cultivate, and feel like I can make something beautiful happen, something useful grow. I suppose there’s an analogy here about personal growth too, but don’t we all feel like we’ve accomplished something truly satisfying and wonderful when we make something bloom? Women are so capable of making things blossom, from children to friendships, relationships and ourselves. 





Like myself, many of the women I have spoken to whilst walking through the beautiful Welsh countryside are very unsure of the future of Wales, and their place within it. Exploring the future of Wales’s landscapes and socio-economic / political factors that contribute to it has already featured in my previous work, so I was keen to explore others opinions, in an attempt to draw myself out of a kind of limbo that I feel my thoughts are stuck in when it comes to the future of Wales following its de-industrialization. 
The wonderful women featured in my work are mental health practitioners, artists, leaders, teachers and so much more, and one thing we can all agree on is that an immersion in nature is beyond doubt beneficial to all-round well-being. Simply walking, encourages others to talk and open up in a more relaxed, nurturing environment, and leaves us feeling more grounded and often secure. Walking together with others builds a precious sense of community, which heals both mentally and physically. However the problem I have discussed at length with my subjects is the fact that you cannot force others to look at and appreciate their natural environment if their current circumstances are debilitating. It is from a privileged standpoint that we assume a walk in the woods will solve a

ll problems. However I have come back from my walks often with a new sense of hope that these wonderful women are making small but incredibly important strides in their communities while still remaining optimistic about what is essentially, an incredibly uncertain future for Wales.