Survivors του Καρκίνου: Τα Πρόσωπα της Ελπίδας – Eyes of Light

Cancer Survivors: The Faces of Hope

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.

Emphasis on human contact and collaboration

1

Every survivor meets a photographer with whom they have been matched

2

In a relaxed environment, they discuss about their life and their experience with cancer

3

They end up with ideas on how they are going to collaborate in order to create a powerful portrait

4

They have a photo-shoot

the way they have both agreed on

5

They choose the picture that best represents them

6

Every final portrait is accompanied by a small text - a personal

statement from the survivor

7

Every photographer also shares what they gained through this experience

8

The portraits are displayed

in exhibitions, encouraging people with similar experiences

Survivors have the opportunity:

Photographers have the opportunity:

Photographers

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.