A series of recollections about the Why behind the photo. The fragments and questions that come with it. All at once or one after the other. The story seeds that follow before and after the photograph is made.

Woolwich 2018. © Ioana Bîrdu

I see many of them in the nearabouts of where I live. Most wear black and white or just black, like this one. She’s always there, on the shortcut, observing the world from the windowsill in some sort of contemplative meditation. 

When I pass her by I wave or smile and by the way she looks at me, I know she says hi back.

This portrait is a gift to her, something to remember me by.

I hope she likes it. 

Episode 1: The fish stall

Episode 2: Mannequins