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#bOObs for Life is a compilation of visually portrayed stories about physical trauma, personal struggle, survival, and the celebration of life. The exhibition is the fruit of the collaborative work of photographer Sylvia Kouveli and artist Ted Meyer, presented with the support with the American Cancer Society.

Sylvia’s work for breast cancer awareness in young women is a series of bold photographs depicting the diversity of female chests. It is meant to motivate the subject, as well as the viewer, to proactively monitor their breast health. #bOObs aims to inform and educate women, regardless of their medical history, while providing a safe space for open conversation within the community, both in the studio and on social media.

Ted creates artwork from scars that celebrate strength and survival. Through his art-making, photography and stories, Ted portrays the beauty and humor of physicality while exploring narratives of the human condition. Scarred for Life consists of artistically enhanced monoprints taken directly from the scarred skin of his subjects. Each image tells a unique story of medical crisis, resilience and healing.

These two projects come together in #bOObs for Life to create a unique visual journey and explore health, trauma and healing through breast cancer stories and informative material.

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Sylvia Kouveli is a photographer with a fascination for visual sociology. She works on projects that build awareness and enhance inclusion in a social ambience and through collaborative social action.

Ted Meyer is a nationally recognized artist, curator and patient advocate who works with patient artists, students and medical professionals to tell stories of how illness has affected lives, not only negatively, but often positively.

Ted and Sylvia met two years ago in Athens, Greece and immediately connected as they found common ground in their respective works. An artistic patient advocate and a breast health advocate come together to explore narratives of the human condition such as self-identity and mortality, as well as ideas like denialism, physical and cultural taboos, and aesthetic norms.

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ABOUT THE GALLERY
The Perfect Exposure Gallery is the recognized venue in Southern California to display the work of award winning and accomplished photojournalists as well as works of photographers that regard artistry and craftsmanship as a standard of excellence.

The mission of the Perfect Exposure Gallery is to present exhibits free of charge to the general public with the following goals to exemplify the rich variety and impact of photography, freedom of expression, a forum for the aesthetic, the contemptible and the sublime.

Exhibition dates: Tuesday 12, October 2019 to Sunday 20, October 2019
Opening Reception: Saturday 12, October 2019, 6pm – 9pm

Click here to find out more about the #bOObs project.
Click here to see a video on the Scarred for Life project.

Ms. Balloon, Nanda Type and Airan Mahe of “What’s Art Collective” came together with Sylvia Kouveli and the “#bOObs” project last Saturday, 16th of March for a day of breast cancer awareness and art!

After a presentation and a discussion on how to detect possible signs and symptoms of cancer and how to do a self breast exam, the participants felt more confident to check their bodies.

Then, they chose a phrase each, which was drawn on them, to reflect their thoughts with lettering on their skin. We’ll let the photos speak for themselves! By the way, how well do YOU know your body?

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From a chance encounter in Barcelona, I had the pleasure of getting to know and collaborating with Jessica of Skin On Sundays to bring some beautiful physiopoetry to the #bOObs project.

After learning about the #bOObs project, Jessica wrote some poetry and some poetic phrases that could reflect feelings and situations related to breast cancer, insecurities, body image, etc.

We met with the women who wanted to participate in the project and after a cozy session of sharing personal stories, learning about self-exams and how to detect signs of breast cancer, each woman was matched with a poem which was then written on her body for the final photo.

It was a truly unique and beautiful experience that all participants thoroughly enjoyed.

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During the month of December the #bOObs Instagram account (@boobs4prevention) is YOURS!

Show your #bOObs & tell your story. You can remain anonymous or reveal all! Your choice!

HOW TO:

1. Find a white wall.
2. Take a photo of your chest square on. (It can be in a neutral or expressive pose.)
3. Write something you feel like saying. (If you feel like it.)
4. Send it to me via DM on Instagram or email.

Watch this video of me explaining what the #bOObs Show & Tell is.

And don’t forget to check out the December Show & Tell Instagram Stories here.

 

UPDATE

Check out some of the December Show & Tell submissions below, but make sure you visit the project’s Instagram account to read what these women and more have to say!

Leading up to the exhibition of the #bOObs project at iFocus Gallery in Athens, Greece, several media outlets picked up the story, helping to break taboos related to the female body and spread the word about breast cancer awareness.

LadyLike magazine
More on my interview with LadyLike here.

Huffington Post
More on my interview with the Huff Post here.

Kathimerini national newspaper
More on my interview with Kathimerini here.

Athens Voice

iFocus photography magazine

Fotografos photography magazine

Photologio photography news

City Cypriot news site

Photonet photography magazine

REEK. Female achievement blog