Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath (1971) by W. Eugene Smith
Eugene Smith Tomoko Uemura was an American photojournalist who captured this very well known image “In Her Bath” in 1971. For context, severe Mercury poisoning caused both defects and other terrible illnesses on the coasts of Japan. To bring light to this issue, Smith captured a mother with her birth defected, struggling, child. This black and white image shows a mother looking lovingly/ concerned at her child who is shaped unlike other children. The light within this image highlights both. their body’s and gazes which makes the viewer uncomfortable and upset. It elicits uncomfortable sentiments as nobody wants to see a child appear to be struggling. It is also easy to feel empathetic for the mother who has to comfort and take care of a child that will never be able to live life normally. By capturing the interaction between the two, the public can get a sense of the struggles those who have been affected by Mercury poisoning endure. Bringing awareness to how mercury poisoning could affect their youth could leave a lasting impact on those who view it. Discomfort could lead to a glimpse of reality.
Images like this raise awareness that the problem of industrial pollution is ongoing. This is a good summary of the content and context of the image.