“Grace” is a series of portraits of women who have experienced Mastectomy Surgery in order to survive Breast Cancer. It is a continuation of my ongoing exploration into women, body image and our perception of beauty within contemporary culture. I use Hellenistic sculpture as a visual reference for these portraits, taking inspiration from such artifacts as the “Venus De Milo” and “Nike of Samathrace”. These sculptures have survived the trauma of history and in the process have become dismembered, and yet we still view them as ultimate symbols of beauty. My subjects are also survivors and through the trauma of breast cancer have also lost body parts. Given this visual index allows both subject and viewer to access a place of acceptance and beauty.
