Reflections of Me

ARTIST DIALOGUE:
“I initially declined the invitation to participate in the Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) exhibit at the Warhol. As a man, I didn’t see how I could possibly create a work of art that embodied a woman’s experience with breast cancer and raise awareness about breast reconstruction. I was ultimately persuaded to participate by doing what I love – using my art to encourage an open dialogue around this very important subject. And so, I interviewed survivors and their family members. I was awed by their mental and physical resilience through a very tough journey – one that often left the survivor feeling ‘less than whole.’ So, I took the mannequin that all participating artists received…and cut it right in half. I hollowed out the bottom and created a base revealing a rebar skeleton that was clearly still under construction. I molded the head from terracotta, a strong yet fragile material, and revealed the brain to reinforce the mental angst experienced by these women. Finally, I tilted the head slightly down to look at the exposed breasts, which were mirrored to reflect the image that was once there.”