Even a cesarean section is a sacred birth of life. It’s not an easy journey, and the scars can remain not only on the body. Some mothers have gone through very challenging situations. Some had emergency C-sections, others had planned ones. Each has a different story. One thing is certain: it’s not just a medical procedure—it’s childbirth. For a moment, a new gateway to birth was created, one that deserves respect and love.

Petra Janda drew on these reflections when conceiving the exhibition Empresses, conceived as a tribute to women who gave birth via cesarean section. The photographs capture scars adorned with flowers, leaves, and other natural elements. Each woman wove her own wreath, which she used to decorate her “cesarean portal.” Beech leaves, bright orange marigolds, and red rose hips tell unique birth stories through symbolic language. Without words, they speak not only of pain, but also of courage, joy, and love.