ART OF SCARS: The Innate Ability to Be Seen
The Art of Scars is an ongoing, not for profit project, through which individuals who have been marked by trauma—whether on the flesh or spirit—collaborate with me, as photographer, to release and uncover that which has been long unseen. In this process, we emblematize not only specific injuries—whether as marks or development to the body—but the more insidious, epistemic forms of shame, blame, pain, and other disruptions too many of us have held in our physical frames: racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-Semitism—so often commingled with other bias crimes.
One of the first participants is a long-term trauma survivor, and a single parent to an autistic son. She is also a full-time student and brilliant model, who criticized herself: "my features are not Anglo or exotic in any way, so I see the big-eyed, chubby, nappy-headed girl I am." In preparing for her session, she asked, "Why are there never any pictures in magazines of women who look like me? What is that supposed to tell me? Am I ugly?"
I believe every person has the innate ability to be seen. That inherent substance of self is what I photograph.
The Art of Scars shows the unique beauty of every person in our communities: the beauty of survival.
I thank every participant in this project.
Yes, there is an Open Call for The Art of Scars: New participants who would like to collaborate in this free work may contact me, via the link at the bottom of any page.
Featured here, in order of first appearance: Altaira; Rebecca; Gia; PJ Whitt; Mo; Ilysse; Lenni.
