Rachel Noble
Tell us a little about who you are and what brought you here.
I had always wanted to be a mum since I was little. My husband Duncan and I shared this dream of having a family and we were excited to start trying when the time was right. What we didn’t realise is that we would end up enduring an uncertain seven year journey through the world of IVF to have our now one year old son. It was an extremely dark and difficult time in our lives, before our wonderful friend offered to be our gestational surrogate, which ultimately brought us our baby.
What invisible or visible part of your story do you wish more people understood?
I wish people understood that although we do have our baby, for which we are utmost grateful for every single day, that parts of the pain and trauma do remain. There are always triggers, reminders and anxiety. However with time (and therapy) I have hope that these feelings will ease. My son is helping me heal every day.
How did it feel to be photographed as part of Desire Lines?
It truly was an honour to be asked to share my story through photography. This is something that I would normally feel a bit nervous about doing, however I jumped at the opportunity because I know that I would be able to be vulnerable, authentic and real in Maz’s presence, and that’s exactly how I felt. It was a truly humbling experience which helped to give me some closure on our journey and it is something I will cherish and I will always be so grateful to Maz xox
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
If you have been considering being a part of Desire Lines, whatever your story, this is an experience that I highly recommend. For those who haven’t had the privilege of meeting Maz yet, she is such a beautiful and amazing person who you just connect with as soon as you meet her. Maz truly has the ability to capture the resilience, strength and bravery of her participants so well. Keep doing what you’re doing Maz ❤️
This art is not for sale.
People’s pain and hardship cannot be commodified in this space. This space exists simply to inspire anyone who is struggling to cope or searching for a way through.
The art is a gift from myself and every participant. These images capture a moment in time that allowed us to realise that our pain has given us something priceless:
Wisdom and resilience.
They form the desire lines we walk as we move through each new storm we face, again and again.
marilyntuna.art 