Marks of majesty: breast cancer & art

Breast/ChestBIPOC

Feb 4

Marks of Majesty is an inspirational art project, showcasing people impacted by breast cancer, including folks that are non-white, pre-menopausal, queer or transgender.

Mariah is a Black queer woman looking at the camera wih gold paint on her chest.

“In January of 2023, mother, wife, and model Laura Skarzout underwent her fourth breast reconstruction surgery as a result of complications while healing from her double mastectomy. At risk for breast cancer, the surgery would prevent her from ever getting the disease in the future. Laura wanted to collaborate with a photographer post-operatively to show the messy truth about the healing process. This open conversation around breast cancer and body image launched the project Marks of Majesty. Creative partners Julia Comita and Stephanie Francis took care in casting 7 individuals, including Laura, to participate in Marks of Majesty all of whom embody a variety of intersectional identities. Through their work with these previvors, survivors, and patients, they learned the importance of amplifying stories from communities outside of the post-menopausal white female.”

Participants are Mariah A. Crenshaw (she/her), Laura (sher/her), Lyssette Horne (she/they), Christen Clifford (she/her), Eshaana Sheth (she/her), Michelle (she/her) and Vanessa Lana Gonzalez (they/them). The site also featured interviews with the participants.

Pictured above are Mariah and Vanessa. All images from Marks of Majesty – credits here.