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| The photo essay is on display now through January 24, 2020 at Brick at the Blue Star in San Antonio, Texas |
The Claire Project is the brainchild of a local photographer, Nancie Jimenez of Nancie J. Photography in Cibolo, Texas. Be sure to take a look at her Instagram and website gallery...she does beautiful work! Nancie was touched by the story of Claire who came in for a maternity session and revealed that she was a breast cancer survivor and wanted to somehow include that part of her story in the photo session. Nancie was inspired and decided to expand that session into a photo essay of breast cancer survivors.
I answered the model call that she put out along with 7 of my friends. We all had various reasons for participating but the biggest thing I think we share is to desire to raise awareness. There are currently 10 of us featured in the project and let me tell you...it is amazing!
Originally, this photo essay was supposed to be on social media, her website, and maybe...just maybe a gallery show. Well.....that is exactly what happened! One of Nancie's friends and patron of the arts decided after only seeing a few photos that this HAD to be bigger. So, thanks to the efforts, hard work, and support of several folks in Nancie's circle, The Claire Project was printed and framed and became a GALLERY SHOW that is currently on display in a local art gallery, Brick at the Blue Star Art Complex. It will be on display through January 24th (my diagnosi-versary!!) if you are able to stop by to see it.
I am just so happy that this project is taking wings and people are getting to hear about it and see it! It is so important that people see that there is more to breast cancer than a pink ribbon in October and the drug ads on television. These photos while very real and revealing are beautiful.
Breast cancer does not discriminate. It comes no matter your race, religion, economic status, or whether you are a vegan or carnivore! Once you've had breast cancer, you are changed. In some ways, it can even be positive like maybe you live life to the fullest now or appreciate the little things more. Either way, you do not come out on the other side the same person you were before. And, I think that is important for people to see. These photos show our outer scars right there in black and white hanging on a gallery wall...no editing to cover up the reality. Hopefully, what you see when you visit the gallery is the beauty of it all! That these scars show that we all survived what tried to kill us and that no matter what the journey or treatment path, we have a story to tell of HOPE!
Some local media coverage of the story:
https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article/San-Antonio-breast-cancer-survivors-bare-their-14965365.php?
Additionally, Fox 29's David Norris covered the story as well here:
https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/photographer-creates-breast-cancer-survivor-exhibit?
Stay tuned on Facebook because I'm actually scheduled to talk to a reporter from Spectrum News this evening at the gallery as well!
