(Above: Leukemia Decision, Decision Portrait Series. Stitched words: I refused further treatment, 1937 - 2008. Xylene photo transfer on tea stained muslin. Hand embroidery and beading. Unframed: 25" x 19"; framed 31" x 25". Click on image to enlarge.)
This is a picture of my Mom from her 70th birthday party in August 2007. Two months ago, I wrote this post about my Mom's decision to refuse further treatment for her acute leukemia and how my Mom's decision was going to be used in a very special art exhibit created by Susan Lenz.
Thanks to Susan's transformational prowess as an artist, my Mom's decision will reach far beyond her own life and family. My Mom is now every man, woman or child who has faced the decision of further treatment for cancer and said No.
This portrait will be displayed as part of 100 Decision Portraits, several mixed media works and an installation of two-story, free motion machine embroidered chiffon banners at a solo exhibition called Personal Grounds at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC. Sept. 10 - October 10, 2010.
You can see Susan's post about my Mom's decision here and follow the amazing series of portraits that she will be showing here.
As you might have guessed, I've been away on vacation *wink. I'm home now.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Decision Portrait Completed
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13 comments:
Love it! I was just looking through some of the other portraits - very interesting.
Her portait is so nicely done. Its very sobering to think about this project and her part in it.
I choose to think of her entry as a celebration of her bravery and sacrifice.
I see from your side bar that you are reading the Steig Larsson trilogy. You must like them because you have to. I was thinking of buying the first.
Glad you are back.
Welcome home, Susan! Your mom sure had beautiful eyes, definitely windows to her soul, I think. World Embroderies' blog has another entry to this exhibit... Wish I'd have seen the list sooner when I noticed the Learning to Read wish on it. (Although it would've been hard to get an adult student to agree to a photo as they don't like to share the fact.)
Beautiful ... your mother and Susan's piece featuring her. Thank you for sharing the story of her decision with us and with Susan and consequently with so many more people through her art.
Dear Susan, what a very powerfull piece it has become! I totally love the idea behind the series, I admire your mom's courage to make such a hard decision and I admire your strength and vulnerability to put your mom's portrait up for this work of art! I hope it brings all the men, women and children who face decisions like this one strength and compassion.
Oh.. and ps: welcome home. Hope you had a wonderfull vacation.
A beautiful tribute to your beloved mother.
Susan K.
I love Susan's work, I have followed her for sometime and written a couple of posts about her. My most recent post was an ATC I made, that was greatly influenced by Susan's work. Her work is so thought provoking.
I am proud of the decision your Mother made, very corageous. I'm sure it was a difficult decision for all of you.
Love,
Debbie
I just visited the site and looked through some of the other entries. That's going to be quite a powerful exhibit!
What a strong, beautiful woman your mother was. This is such a lovely tribute and one that will live on forever. Sometimes acceptance is the greatest gift we can give ourselves.
Such courage on everyone's part. Welcome home!
You and your mother are inspiring!
Thank you for sharing her story.
What a beautiful (and cathartic, I imagine) piece. A lovely tribute to your lovely mother. 111. Hugs, Cathy
I am mesmerized by this piece, as I was by your mother when seeing the pictures you posted of her some time ago in her aqua dress. Your post today hit me at a time when a friend of mine was diagnosed with leukemia last week and will go on chemo next week.It made me really think about the tough decisions she will have ahead of her.
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