Images of My Resilience
Iliana Rose Kittrell
I was officially diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of thirteen, after several years of pain and the unknown.The recovery process was long and included many setbacks such as paralysis and memory difficulties; I will likely always have residual effects from the tumor. Uncertainties remained for many years, such as whether I would ever be able to drive a car. I am proud to say that I now have a car, which I have driven many places and am excited where I will bring it in the future. The object displayed in the car was a project I had made at Hole in the Wall Gang Camp with my survivor’s group. Looking up at this sign on my dorm room wall- its permanent residence, reminds me of what I have accomplished and how I have kicked cancer’s ass.
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Avery Woodbury
In this photo are two zombie heads that I carved and painted, the background my friend’s camping land. When I was in high school I was asked to leave my public high school because I was considered a safety hazard to other students because of my issues with authority figures and outbursts I’ve had in class. I felt my social reputation was tarnished, and I felt humiliated being sent to an alternative high school.
In my new school I picked up wood carving in the woodshop. Art became a way for me to focus my energy without worrying about what other people thought of me. The camping spot represents the isolation I went through that led to my personal freedom. The photo as a whole represents embracing how I felt and identifying with it, even if it seemed too “edgy” for most. |
Margareth Antonio
Shea butter is a west and southern African pomade made to use on hair and skin. This tub of shea butter represents my struggle as a black woman and prejudice that I have dealt with for my appearance, specifically my hair. I placed the tub in front of the Harvard book store because Cambridge and Harvard has always been representative of excellence and social status and unfortunately in professional situations natural black hair has not been seen as acceptable. The extreme policing of black hair and expectation to alter our hair with chemicals to be deemed professional is hurtful to the morale of black children growing up everywhere. I have learned to accept my hair through trials and tribulation.
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Thalia Torres
Something difficult that I have had to go through was acceptance of myself and my own sexuality. It wasn’t a physical journey but something that I had to deal with internally. That’s why the first picture of the Pride pin is on my pillow in my room back home. My room is somewhere where I spent most of my time, especially during that time, as I stayed up late in my bed thinking about it. My bed room back home, is extremely colorful but for this picture I just wanted the colors of the Pride pin to stand out. One of the first places I was truly open about my identity as bisexual was in my art class, sophomore year of college. That is where I made the painting, that for me represents pride in my sexuality. The flowers are all blossoming to just like me in this new identity of mine.
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