A group of breast cancer survivors have bravely posed for an inspirational new exhibition that shows the scars that remain from their fight against the disease.
Fifty women took part in the portraits, that were taken by photographer Julia Holland, who spent two years documenting women she meth through her work with charity Keeping Abreast.
The unashamed classical-style framed portraits show women who have either had breast cancer or preventative mastectomies proudly showing their breasts.
One model, Jacky Robertson - who underwent a gruelling course of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a mastectomy - said her photo filled her with ‘pride and strength’.
The 60-year-old, from Stonehouse, Glos., said: “You don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
"It’s in the eyes - look. There is contentment there.“We are happy with who we are. And we have survived.”
The exhibition, called Femininity Comes From Within, features women aged between 30 and 70, photographed before or after reconstructive breast surgery.
It shows each survivor bare-chested with a pink scarf with a short story underneath about the woman. Charlene Angel-Trueman, from Barroway Drove, Norfolk, posed with her baby daughter Evie, after she underwent preventative surgery aged 27.
Charlene underwent the surgery after learning five female relatives had died from breast cancer.
She said: “I want my little girl to know that her femininity should be built from a person’s own inner strength and self-respect.”
"I hope that by being involved in this project she, and whoever attends the exhibition, can see and appreciate that femininity comes from within, which should be accepted and not judged.”
Photographer Julia added: “All the women were brave enough to come and take part because they wanted to make a difference to others facing breast cancer.”
The exhibition is opening at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital before a national tour to raise money for Keeping Abreast, which raises money for breast reconstruction
Posts
