In the hours of research that I do about Boobs, I have yet to stumble upon a website or project that is as moving to me as the artist Clarity Haynes Sunset Park Breast Portrait Project. The project began in 1998 when Haynes realized the large demand for torso portraiture at womyn’s festivals and retreats. Over the years she has kept the photos of her subjects and a journal of their writings and perspectives on their torso, to get more personal their breasts. Haynes now has over 400 accounts in journals that she titles, “The Breast Portrait Books”.
As of 2010, the The Brooklyn Art’s Council Regrant Award will provide support for the project over the next year. More funds are still needed and Haynes is encouraging anyone who can donate their time, money or talents to the project to come forth. After writing this I will be writing Haynes to make her aware of my blog and this post supporting her work, in addition, I want to offer myself as a model- of course that depends on if I can get myself to NY in a timely fashion.
To see me in my full glory — I don’t feel repulsed. Actually, I am overwhelmed by the “ordinary”ness of it. If that makes sense. I feel as though I have the ability to see myself, to belong to myself, and to accept myself as I am — in full. – PATRICIA
Having lost a part of myself that I found precious and beautiful I encourage women to find beauty in themselves as they are today. I feel lucky to have spent 35 years loving my breasts and am now finding love for my changed breast. It reminds me of all the positive motion and change that has been transformative through my survival of breast cancer. Life is too short to spend time in self judgement and dislike — love yourself and HEAR people when they express your beauty. We are not the negativity that we learn from others unless we allow ourselves to be.
One hope I have is that my visibility helps other survivors feel represented and proud and connected.- JANE
http://www.bportraitproject.org/Site_5/home___.html
Let me again just mention my strong admiration for Clarity Haynes project. It is projects like these that help womyn recognize the true beauty that is our bodies. I applaud the models for their strength and send my hopes that in 2010 the Sunset Park Breast Portrait Project is reinvigorated and recognized for its greatness.
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