Non-profit organisation EYES OF LIGHT - ARTS IN HEALTH HUB
Non-profit organisation EYES OF LIGHT - ARTS IN HEALTH HUB
This project brings together distinguished photographers with survivors, in order to create, through dialogue, portraits of strength and optimism, accompanied by the survivors’ personal messages.
The experience of cancer is shocking, as is of every serious illness. It brings you to your lowest point. You discover primal, archetypical fears. But it also lifts you to the sky. You discover qualities and possibilities of yourself you could not even imagine. You live more substantially. Somewhat like you how live when you are in love.
Photo by ZERVOS PANTELIS
“One picture, thousand thoughts” dedicated with all my heart to my psychotherapist Mrs. Eirini Dimopoulou (Day Center). When you decide to talk to a specialist for your illness that is hitting you ferociously, you will manage to overcome it. Since, after all, you will not talk about cancer. You will find strength, you will learn how to protect yourself, you will love yourself truly and you will never allow anything and anyone to create this damage to your soul, which so painfully damaged your body. Speak, don’t be afraid, don’t be shy…
Photo by SEFEROGLOU ORESTIS
Life is beautiful because that’s how I choose to see it. I feel immense gratitude for my friends that support me!
Photo by VASILIKOS LOUKAS
Continue, continue to look forward, to move forward, to give strength, to push yourself a little bit further, somewhere that you have never been before because you didn’t know you could… where you went the extra mile as a human being, to live the way you want and not the way somebody else wants. Cancel the cancer.
Photo by BALTAGIANNIS SOCRATES
Through the Eyes of Light, I am constantly learning to love MYSELF & embrace LIFE in continuity!!!
Photo by BARAI AGGELOS
I have gone through 3 cancers and now I am experiencing a metastasis. Cancer does not mean death. It means a difficult road, pain and anxiety. However, it also means power to go the extra mile. The power for our life does not allow us to give up. We love our self; we take care of our self and we give ourselves the right to live well. We make prevention our primary goal!
Photo by MOUTAFIS GIORGOS
Cancer is an incident like every illness. The way you handle it is a matter of choice. When you are forced to face a challenge, you discover a strength you never knew you had. The real challenge is for this knowledge to become a part of you and do not forget to show gratitude for everything you had taken for granted. The obstacle is always fear, even of this word that we are afraid to utter. And it’s so euphonious… Familiarize with it. Cancer, cancer, cancer.
Photo by KOILALOUS DEMETRIS
I am open to anything new that is coming my way because I have learned to lose… but most importantly to win.
Photo by MARAGOUDAKI GINA
I never saw it as a battle. Probably as a threshold or as a desert. My mother used to call it Sahara. Which clearly, however, leads to a glade. There is no doubt about it. You will get there. Along with me, my close friends went through it. Sometimes I reminisce it. It wasn’t a desert after all. It was a huge hug. Like everyone gathered around to protect me… I know you are jealous. Who else has the luck to receive so much love reserved only for him?
Photo by TZIMOU OLGA
The battle with leukaemia and cancer in general, is the pathway that leads us to new, unexplored worlds, whose existence we ignored. The “Victory” through a constant battle does not only fill you with satisfaction, but creates the need to share with everyone, patients and non-patients, the truth you are experiencing. “I am here, we can beat CANCER, BELIEVE IT!!!”.
Photo by KAKAROUHAS HARIS
One deep breath until the end of this storm, fear cannot guide you anymore, he is a friend. The pain of yesterday, your strength, and the strongest shield, your smile. For the photoshoot… amazing experience, magnificent people, the wonders of our love being depicted in our pictures. We are all here, together. The biggest gift of life. Thank you.
Photo by KOURI MARO
I do not forget. I just surpass it. I continue to LIVE with optimism and a smile. I love LIFE. I love MYSELF!!!
Photo by KAZOLEA ATHINA
The fight required is long and difficult, but look at me, I am here! I am one more proof that it is a battle that can be won. My weapons were my faith in God, my positive thinking and my love for life and my family. What is my advice? Do not give up, not even for one minute!
Photo by LAMBROVASILIS ALEXANDROS
Spring came back into my life, I fought my worst nightmares and I am now feeling happy again.
Photo by GALANOPOULOU THALIA
Life, like all people, is not a given. We are called to take care of it, to enjoy it, to love it… constantly.
Photo by FYSAKIS PAVLOS
Every survivor meets a photographer with whom they have been matched
In a relaxed environment, they discuss about their life and their experience with cancer
They end up with ideas on how they are going to collaborate in order to create a powerful portrait
the way they have both agreed on
They choose the picture that best represents them
statement from the survivor
Every photographer also shares what they gained through this experience
in exhibitions, encouraging people with similar experiences
I accepted to participate in the project Cancer Survivors: The Faces of Hope because it is everyone’s duty to help from his own position. Therefore, my artistic contribution is the least I can do in order to contribute for this very important cause.
The reason I chose to take part in this project is because I believe that it is important to emphasize the strength, courage and willpower of these individuals (survivors). Putting a portrait in front of every story, gives flesh and bones to the effort of every survivor, but also allows the audience to personally relate with this effort.
I participate in order to help as much as I can towards the sensitization and awareness of the Greek public towards cancer.
I dedicated 5 years taking pictures of my parents’ cancer, which was an essentially freeing and psychotherapeutic process. I am honored by the fact that Mrs. Loukia opened her home for me, and through this photographic process, she allowed me to feel even that slight one percent of her victorious battle against breast cancer.
I participate because I always support important ideas that strive to sensitize and inspire the public. This project is one such idea and I am very pleased to be given the chance to photograph a true survivor. Using photography as a part of this project is a life lesson and forms a source of inspiration for me! Through this photographic record and the stories of these individuals we can maybe appreciate and make more use of the gift of time and life we have been given.
I agreed to participate in the project because I believe that everyone has to support these kinds of activities in his own way. Through Cancer Survivors: The Faces of Hope I met Maria. A creative and colourful individual.
The invitation to participate in Cancer Survivors: The Faces of Hope, instantly formed a challenge for me, not to photograph one more subject, but to meet an individual and learn his story.
I always admired and respected those who had to fight for their lives. Their stance gives us a huge lesson, a great reason to revaluate our own lives. My participation in this project is the least I can do, so I accepted with great joy.
I am truly honored by this invitation to photograph one of the Faces of Hope, a fellow human being who decisively won the battle of life. I knew straightaway that I wanted to photograph my aunt, Nitsa. Through this process I had the chance to discover an unknown, for me, aspect of her character.
I accepted to participate in this project because deep down I knew that the photoshoot was just an excuse. I met a notable individual with great potential: Ioanna.
In 2019 health issues should not be viewed as secrets or taboo. Art as a strong means of expression can have an awakening role, it can mobilize the public, make them change their habits and prejudices. Lead them to awareness.
I am photographing a person who has fought in her life in order to have a life, in a period of giving up from the miracle of life. So, let’s all learn from the wisdom of the cured. Let’s learn that they caress and communicate with their body with sacredness. How they connect with themselves, how they dare to connect with their vulnerability, their pain, how do they forgive? How do they discover their inner beauty and how do they reject toxic environments, radiation and people?
For me, first and foremost, Art is a transformative act, a transformative process. Just as it is for the creators, as for the audience. And this specific project supports this mentality.
I participate because I, myself, know how it feels to go through such an experience. I know the amount of strength needed to overcome it. Also, I accepted because I wanted to meet the person I would photograph.
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