G
“Grace”
“Grace” is a series of portraits by photographer
Isis Charise that capture the courage, beauty
and grace of women who have experienced
mastectomy surgery in order to survive breast
cancer.
The portraits are highly sensitive collaborations between
Isis and her subjects. They are loosely based on Hellenic
sculpture, like the Venus De Milo and Nike of Samothrace. These precious artifacts have survived the
trauma of history and in the process have become
dismembered, yet we still view them within our culture
as ultimate symbols of beauty. By providing this visual
index, both her subjects and viewers are allowed to
access a place of acceptance and beauty.
Before the Grace project, Isis worked for many years
as a Boudoir Photographer photographing women
of many shapes, sizes, ages and cultural backgrounds.
During this time she was approached by the husband
of a woman who had seriously wanted his wife to do a
boudoir shoot. The day of the photo shoot a stunning,
vivacious and fairly conservative looking woman of 62
years old showed up at Isis’ studio. Although it was a
boudoir shoot, the woman was determined to remain
clothed throughout. Some time into the photo shoot,
the woman confessed to Isis that she was a twelve year
breast cancer survivor and was extremely embarrassed
about her breast. Her surgery had gone wrong, she was
left to contend with the scars that had been left behind.
Following this confession Isis’ beautiful subject continued
to be photographed, unveiling her “good” breast and
leaving the other one covered. The woman was enjoying
every moment of feeling beautiful, Goddess like and
sensual when suddenly she declared “F**k it, I’m doing
this for myself !” In that moment, she threw off her top
and unveiled for the first time her scarred breast. In that
gorgeous moment, Isis witnessed a woman letting go of
a twelve year burden she had been living with. It was a
metamorphosis and an extremely cathartic moment for
both Isis and her subject. Isis couldn’t ignore the moment. She had witnessed a powerful transformation and
knew in her heart that as an artist she needed to explore
looking good
this further. This was the beginning of how the Grace
project was conceived.
Isis has photographed about 27 women, so far. Her goal
for the project is to photograph more than 120 women
of different ages, body types, ethic and geographic
backgrounds within the United States. From these
photographs she intends to make two versions of a
book... a gorgeous hard cover collectable book and a
second soft cover and less expensive book for which
she will hopefully receive corporate or philanthropic
funding that will enable the books to be distributed freely
to oncology centers, breast cancer support centers and
places where women who are diagnosed can have access
to these images of courage, beauty and grace.
The work is also an exhibition that can travel throughout
the United States. The images are printed in large
format onto gorgeous pieces of delicate silk that give
the images both a luminous and spiritual quality. The
photographs can be exhibited at traditional venues such
as galleries and museums but Isis also wants to exhibit
the work at alternative locations such as breast cancer
fundraisers, cancer support centers, hospital galleries and
so forth.
The Grace project has 501(c)3 status (not for profit)
through the Artspire Program of New York Foundation
for the Arts.
Isis Charise has been working in the field of photography for over
twelve years. Isis’ work has been both published and exhibited
internationally. Visit the website at: www.the-grace-project.org
and Facebook at: www.facebook.com/graceproject
Winter 2014
THE PINK PAPER
13