The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This subject is very close to me as I lost my mother to breast cancer five years ago. In October of 2011, I took part in a collaborative art show called Womynhouse for which I created the following piece of art entitled “Twenty Three”. The project was a type of therapy that heightened my own awareness of the disease and fostered personal healing. Today, with more vigor than ever, my hope is for a future that holds a cure for breast cancer and for all cancer.
Please take a moment to read the edited statement I created for this piece two years ago followed by more photographs of the artwork:
Since the day that my mother told me she had breast cancer in 2002, my life has been colored by different shades of pink. Some days have been dark and complex while others have been brilliant and bright. I lost my mom in the summer of 2008 and have experienced all shades of emotion.“Twenty Three” was constructed with three main abstractions in mind that applied to my life: what it means to fight cancer, experiencing loss, and healing / continuing forward after loss. The project allowed me to spend time contemplating these complexities.
After my mom passed away, every day that I woke up and faced the void, and every time I forced myself to do something that scared me, it was with her in mind. While she was sick, she taught that there is no time to wait. We must do the things we want to do in this short life and love the people we love with all of our hearts. My mom lived by example and guided me with brilliance, energy and a true passion for life’s adventures. Even on her most challenging days, she exuded hope and strength and that is how I remember her: strong and determined, adventurous and free.
I hope that anyone who is experiencing a difficult time, especially in regard to loss, can know with certainty that even when everything feels like it is overpowered by a dark shade, there is light and hope ahead. We must charge forward with life’s powerful current, or else we give it permission to pull us under.
This piece was created in memory of my mother, Amy Dishell. The 621 loops of paper are dedicated to all women who have battled breast cancer, as well as their loved ones. If you have lost someone to sickness, they will never be forgotten. For the brave people fighting cancer and for their families: every day we get closer to beating it and finding a cure; I send you thoughts of healing and love. I hope and am confident that in our lifetime, the word cancer will no longer be associated with loss.
Please take a moment to read the edited statement I created for this piece two years ago followed by more photographs of the artwork:
Since the day that my mother told me she had breast cancer in 2002, my life has been colored by different shades of pink. Some days have been dark and complex while others have been brilliant and bright. I lost my mom in the summer of 2008 and have experienced all shades of emotion.“Twenty Three” was constructed with three main abstractions in mind that applied to my life: what it means to fight cancer, experiencing loss, and healing / continuing forward after loss. The project allowed me to spend time contemplating these complexities.
After my mom passed away, every day that I woke up and faced the void, and every time I forced myself to do something that scared me, it was with her in mind. While she was sick, she taught that there is no time to wait. We must do the things we want to do in this short life and love the people we love with all of our hearts. My mom lived by example and guided me with brilliance, energy and a true passion for life’s adventures. Even on her most challenging days, she exuded hope and strength and that is how I remember her: strong and determined, adventurous and free.
I hope that anyone who is experiencing a difficult time, especially in regard to loss, can know with certainty that even when everything feels like it is overpowered by a dark shade, there is light and hope ahead. We must charge forward with life’s powerful current, or else we give it permission to pull us under.
This piece was created in memory of my mother, Amy Dishell. The 621 loops of paper are dedicated to all women who have battled breast cancer, as well as their loved ones. If you have lost someone to sickness, they will never be forgotten. For the brave people fighting cancer and for their families: every day we get closer to beating it and finding a cure; I send you thoughts of healing and love. I hope and am confident that in our lifetime, the word cancer will no longer be associated with loss.
