This is a German birthing chair from 1872. 

 

Dr. Benny Esquenazi, M.D, an obstetrician-gynecologist, commissioned me to create a colorful piece for his office with a gynecology theme. I thought it would be interesting if I bought an old birthing chair and photographed it in a creative way. 

 

I photographed the chair against a deep blue background because Dr. Esquenazi’s office walls are bright orange and gray which would complement the orange walls. Additionally, the wood of the chair has warm undertones, which would further create a beautiful contrast against the navy backdrop. 

 

I was inspired to layer the images together as David Hockney, an English painter, draftsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer, does. His photographs are famous for the way he layers them to capture a complete perspective on his subjects. Similarly, I sought to capture every angle of the chair and layer the images on top of the other to create 4 distinct angles of the chair. 

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Finally, I sewed onto the image using catgut, a type of suture material traditionally used in obstetrics and gynecology surgery to repair tears or incisions made during childbirth. I wanted to incorporate catgut into my piece to create a juxtaposition between the antiqueness of the chair and the modernity of surgical practices today. 

 

This piece is printed on a 40in x 50in metal print and displayed in his office in Pembroke Pines, Florida.