Art Exhibition
Curatorial Statement
This year's biennial exhibition weaves together a diversity of experiences that reflect the far-reaching impact of breast cancer. Each voice underscores the importance of advancing our understanding of this disease—from its causes and prevention to effective and accessible treatments. Works range from the political to the personal, from the celebration of life to the processing of profound loss. Some of the participants are seasoned, award-winning artists while others have newly discovered the transformative power of art, employing it as a vehicle for healing and growth. Each unique perspective embodies extraordinary vision and courage. These individuals represent a much larger chorus of voices, and by bringing them to the forefront of the symposium, we bring into focus the reason behind our commitment to finding better ways to prevent, treat and cure breast cancer.
—Catherine Saiki
Artist Biographies
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Heart and Hand, Frankie Hansbearry |
The Art of Healing (Denise Dalton and contributing artists)
Unique pieces of wearable Breast Art are on display, and worn by survivors attending the symposium. The
artwork, worn over places of trauma, represents a symbol of courage and life. By creating and wearing these works of art, new doors of self-expression
are opened and affirmation is given to the artist. Frankie
Hansbearry, a participating artist this year, created Heart
and Hand. The work of art was created in the shape of
a hand, painstakingly adorned with intricate beadwork,
to express self-nurturing and vulnerability. Hansbearry
mused that while the sculpture was an exercise in
patience (it is meticulously covered with a design using
brilliant, indigo-blue beads) it was a piece that evolved on its own.
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| Implorante VII, Joanne Beaule Ruggles |
Joanne Beaule Ruggles
Joanne Ruggles was diagnosed
with breast cancer on February 27,
2004. Having lost her sister at the
age of 35 to the disease, she was
consumed with fear. Throughout her
chemotherapy treatments and surgeries,
she painted, finding emotional
relief and a physical respite in the
act of painting. She tackled questions
surrounding her diagnosis:“Why did this terrible event happen
to me? How could I survive it? What
kind of creator would let this occur?” Cognizant that finding the answers
was not her goal, Joanne allowed
herself to examine the issues in all
of their complexity—to feel them
intensely. In a series ultimately titled
The Stone of Hope, her works move
from expressions of rage to resignation;
they explore death and express
hope for life; they question why and
they accept the incomprehensible with faith. Ultimately, they provided
her the opportunity to
document her breast cancer journey and to tell her story.
Jeanne Giles Hackney
The Circle Project was created to bring awareness to issues particular to young women diagnosed
with breast cancer. To that end, Jeanne’s project brings the viewer’s attention to all of
the people in a young breast cancer patient’s life—the constellation of those around her who are
deeply affected by the diagnosis. Among the many issues confronting young
women with this diagnosis is the possibility of infertility that can accompany treatment
options—alternately, she may be facing this diagnosis with young children to consider. Jeanne underwent
surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments for breast cancer at the age of 37. “How
many lives does a breast cancer diagnosis touch? It touches the circle of all the people
a woman loves. Look around this circle. Do you see yourself?”
