P.E.I. boudoir photographer, uses art to empower sexual assault survivors

By Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan

September 28, 2023

Emily Coffins, P.E.I. boudoir photographer uses art to empower sexual assault survivors. Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan photo.

When you walk into the Hilda Woolnough Gallery, you will see a big poster on the wall saying, “What I would tell my rapist?”

As you keep walking, you will come across 15 photos hanging on the wall with messages like ‘You wanted control, I wanted to be left alone’ on the stomach, and other messages on arms, thighs, backs and breasts.

For the past two months, Emily Coffins has been using photography as a platform for sexual assault survivors to empower themselves.

Two years ago, she began her photography business. She runs Sugar Sugar Boudoir Photography, which has a studio in the heart of Charlottetown.

Coffins specializes in boudoir photography with a trauma-informed approach, where people pose for nude photos to boost their self-esteem and overcome their body issues.

“When I first started my business, I reached out to a local therapist, counselor, who specialized in body image because I knew that I wanted to be prepared to.support people.”

PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Center approached her for the "What I would tell my Rapist?" project.

“It was kind of the perfect marriage between their vision and my work. And just kind of unfolded really naturally from there.”

Coffins was provided with 15 stories of people was affected by sexual assault and gave meaningful messages that were to be written on the artists’ body parts.

“It’s a very vulnerable topic and lots of different people were involved. The survivors shared their stories..... there were artists and models who portrayed that who may have also been coming in with some kind of background of trauma.”

The exhibit was timed to coincide with Sexual Assault and Awareness Week, Sept. 17-30 at the Hilda Woolnough Gallery at The Guild in Charlottetown.

“The people who provided the stories requested specifically where they wanted to see that placed on model’s body. So, it was obviously a very big influence as how we positioned in on the body.”

For example. The messages ‘The breakfast you made didn’t erase the pain of the night before’ was written on the arms and over the breasts. ‘Now you are not around to watch me bloom’ on the inner thighs, and ‘Gay male rape; do I matter, am I to blame?’ written on the back of the artist.

Special considerations were given to make sure that the patrons aren’t retraumatized. They put on a trigger warning sign in front of the gallery and when you walk in, you have a choice to go around the corner or walk through the aisle of photos.

After a week of the opening, there were around 50 people who filled the gallery exhibit.

The artwork caught the attention of Charlottetown resident Dana Chatterjee.

“It needs to be talked about. And survivors them telling the stories like them taking back their power. I love it.”

Fiona Cashell emphasized the tasteful execution of the artwork and its inspiring nature.

"It centers the stories that were sent in and keeps the models who are representing the story anonymously without dehumanizing them. It’s really powerful and I hope it feeds a sense of community.”

Alison Jenkins, from Charlottetown noticed the photographs, which include both Francophones and Anglophones and emphasized diversity.

“This is a step in the right direction and people who are here are already very sympathetic. It’s a very important exhibit and I think this shouldn’t be the only thing that is done for raising awareness and it’s not the only thing being done to raise awareness.”

Coffins has been receiving good responses from the public.

“I really had a great experience and loved everybody who was a part of this project. It was wonderful to work together.”

In the future, Coffins hopes to put on more of these exhibits and specifically collaborate with organizations and communities who bring a different perspective to some of these issues.

“I think my hope is that after this exhibit, we can continue to share this in other places so more people can see it and we can continue to grow more awareness.”