For the love of breasts
They're a cause for frustration, and adoration — wanted or otherwise. But when those boobs and the person who owns them are able to beat breast cancer — that's certainly cause for celebration.
Brampton photographer Michele Taras is doing just that in her captivating tribute to survivors with The Breast Cancer Project, showing in London at the Arts Project.
A lot of her subjects found their identity was surprisingly tied into their breasts, said Taras. She also discovered that when she started the project, she really couldn't think of anyone with the disease — mainly because women tried to keep it quiet, she said. Taras set out to change all of that.
“A lot of women are ashamed to talk about it,” she explained. “(The project) brings it out into the open. Women are proud to say ‘I'm a breast cancer survivor.'”
After her grandmother died in 2005 with throat cancer, Taras felt inspired to honour her — a “very strong” woman who was “always somebody that everyone could look up to” — while also doing something for other women with cancer so she decided to focus on breast cancer.
The project will feature about 60 photographs but she's amassed around 90 — her youngest subject is a girl who discovered a lump at only 13-years-old, and her oldest being a woman in her 80s. Close to 50 per cent of her subjects are London women, a group she calls “strong…very inspirational.” Unfortunately, throughout the process, three of her subjects have passed away — one was only 40 years old with three daughters. “You become close with these women,” she said.
While the show is all about celebrating survivors, it serves other purposes. The photographs helped the self-esteem of those who suffered and possibly felt like less of a woman because of the disease.
One of Taras' first subjects, a woman from Montreal, had received a lumpectomy. She felt self-conscious being naked but after being photographed, her self-esteem skyrocketed, said Taras.
Taras has found that the experience for women is empowering and allows them to see their bodies in a different light.
“Sometimes you need to see it from how other people see you — it's not that bad,” she explained.
The photographs also help educate others about the disease.
“It's an informative show — (it shows) what's it like to have breast cancer,” Taras said.
While the project leaves its subjects inspired, it also has a similar affect on its audience. The women featured all received a diagnosis of cancer, and there's the possibility of death, said Taras. Many of the women realized “I gotta tell people I love them,” she added. Some quit unfulfilling jobs, and some started to live how they've always wanted. Taras certainly has felt the effects in her own life.
“The women have inspired me to want to do better with my own life,” she said, and hopes others feel that way as well.
The show runs October 6 to 17 at the Arts Project on 203 Dundas St. “Something Beautiful” is a gala event and fundraiser on October 8, 6-10 p.m. The event is $50 and those attending can meet Taras and speak with breast cancer survivors while enjoying live music and food, as well as a silent auction. The proceeds will be going to charity. Those interested in volunteering or who want to know more about the event, call Mary Coulter at 519-666-3964 or at Bcplondon@gmail.com or http://micheletaras.com.
Brampton photographer Michele Taras is doing just that in her captivating tribute to survivors with The Breast Cancer Project, showing in London at the Arts Project.
A lot of her subjects found their identity was surprisingly tied into their breasts, said Taras. She also discovered that when she started the project, she really couldn't think of anyone with the disease — mainly because women tried to keep it quiet, she said. Taras set out to change all of that.
“A lot of women are ashamed to talk about it,” she explained. “(The project) brings it out into the open. Women are proud to say ‘I'm a breast cancer survivor.'”
After her grandmother died in 2005 with throat cancer, Taras felt inspired to honour her — a “very strong” woman who was “always somebody that everyone could look up to” — while also doing something for other women with cancer so she decided to focus on breast cancer.
The project will feature about 60 photographs but she's amassed around 90 — her youngest subject is a girl who discovered a lump at only 13-years-old, and her oldest being a woman in her 80s. Close to 50 per cent of her subjects are London women, a group she calls “strong…very inspirational.” Unfortunately, throughout the process, three of her subjects have passed away — one was only 40 years old with three daughters. “You become close with these women,” she said.
While the show is all about celebrating survivors, it serves other purposes. The photographs helped the self-esteem of those who suffered and possibly felt like less of a woman because of the disease.
One of Taras' first subjects, a woman from Montreal, had received a lumpectomy. She felt self-conscious being naked but after being photographed, her self-esteem skyrocketed, said Taras.
Taras has found that the experience for women is empowering and allows them to see their bodies in a different light.
“Sometimes you need to see it from how other people see you — it's not that bad,” she explained.
The photographs also help educate others about the disease.
“It's an informative show — (it shows) what's it like to have breast cancer,” Taras said.
While the project leaves its subjects inspired, it also has a similar affect on its audience. The women featured all received a diagnosis of cancer, and there's the possibility of death, said Taras. Many of the women realized “I gotta tell people I love them,” she added. Some quit unfulfilling jobs, and some started to live how they've always wanted. Taras certainly has felt the effects in her own life.
“The women have inspired me to want to do better with my own life,” she said, and hopes others feel that way as well.
The show runs October 6 to 17 at the Arts Project on 203 Dundas St. “Something Beautiful” is a gala event and fundraiser on October 8, 6-10 p.m. The event is $50 and those attending can meet Taras and speak with breast cancer survivors while enjoying live music and food, as well as a silent auction. The proceeds will be going to charity. Those interested in volunteering or who want to know more about the event, call Mary Coulter at 519-666-3964 or at Bcplondon@gmail.com or http://micheletaras.com.
