Art.Rage.Us.: Art and Writing by Women with Breast Cancer (Paperback)

by Terry Tempest Williams (Epilogue), Jill Eikenberry (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This stunning and stirring volume is the outgrowth of an exhibit at the San Francisco Main Library Gallery sponsored by the Breast Cancer Fund, the American Cancer Society (San Francisco Bay Area), and the San Francisco chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The artwork and writings were culled from breast cancer survivors, "women who, inspired to create in the face of pain and adversity, present the art and outrage of breast cancer." The volume includes abstract works, collages, photographs, sculpture, and mixed media pieces along with poetry, journal entries, and essays that illustrate the strength, fear, passion, anger, and renewal that comes with the breast cancer experience. These women have faced death and now embrace life. "What are your breasts filled with now, Mommy?" asked Heather Ann Gilchrist's eight-year-old daughter. "Saline, like salt water." "Oh, you mean like tears." "Yes, darling, my breasts are filled with tears." Such exceptional creativity cannot restore a lost breast; it will tug at your heart. Highly recommended for all fine arts and health collections.?Bette-Lee Fox, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

This stunning and stirring volume is the outgrowth of an exhibit at the San Francisco Main Library Gallery sponsored by the Breast Cancer Fund, the American Cancer Society (San Francisco Bay Area), and the San Francisco chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The artwork and writings were culled from breast cancer survivors, "women who, inspired to create in the face of pain and adversity, present the art and outrage of breast cancer." The volume includes abstract works, collages, photographs, sculpture, and mixed-media pieces along with poetry, journal entries, and essays that illustrate the strength, fear, passion, anger, and renewal that comes with the breast cancer experience. These women have faced death and now embrace life. "What are your breasts filled with now, Mommy?" asked Heather Ann Gilchrists' eight-year-old daughter. "Saline, like salt water." "Oh, you mean like tears." "Yes, darling, my breasts are filled with tears." Such exceptional creativity cannot restore a lost breast; it will tug at your heart. Highly recommended for all fine-art and health collections.

This powerful book is the result of a collaborative effort by The Breast Cancer Fund: The American Cancer Society, San Francisco Bay Area; and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, San Francisco Chapter. Together these groups invited artists and writers who had faced breast cancer to submit work for exhibition and publication. Released in October, which was national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Art.Rage.Us demonstrates a range of emotions experienced by survivors of, and those affected by, breast cancer: dignity, courage, anger, terror, grief, humor and acceptance. They can perhaps best be summed up in a poem by Merijane Block after her second surgery: 'Everything takes longer/than you think it should/or thought it would./Except your life.' A wide range of media explores this important topic and the work is presented in a well-paced and visually engaging manner by designer Brenda Rae Eno. A project such as this shows the true power of expression and communication in demystifying experience and providing a touchstone for helping to relate to a difficult and frightening topic. I only wish my dear friend Andrea Goff Merrim, who worked for Lucasfilm, had had a chance to contribute one of her artworks. Instead, Art.Rage.Us. stands as a memorial to all those: women like Andrea whose voices have been stilled, but whose spirits live on. -- Communications Art

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811821307
• ISBN-13: 978-0811821308
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #911,586 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful expression of women with breast cancer., July 20, 1998

By	Diana C. Demille (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Art. Rage. Us.: Art and Writing by Women with Breast Cancer (Hardcover)

I am honored to be one of the artists in this powerful and moving book. At my art exhibits I include Art.Rage.Us and note that the book is in constant use during the shows. So many people are affected by the ravages of cancer. Both this book and the art exhibit are healing for victims, families and friends. The Art.Rage.Us. exhibit will tour the U.S.A. until December 2000. See it. You will be moved. Buy this book for your permanent library. Your heart will be touched. I cannot read this book without tears. The women are powerful role models. I admire and respect you!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book! Incredible art, amazing women!, January 26, 1999

By A Customer

I love this book. An awesome testimony to the power of the women who have contributed. The art is beautifully poignant, moving, meaningful. I have never had breast cancer, but know and love many women who have (I am an oncologist) and I think this book is an amazing example of the incredible strength, courage, humor and insight of the women who had the guts and grace to not only create the visual and written images but to publish them for all to see. I have shown this book to everyone I can find--the medical students, doctors, nurses and social workers with whom I work at the Massey Cancer Center at VCU in Richmond--I have promised one of my patients to show it to her the next time she is in the clinic. It is so inspiring. Don't even ask me which pieces are my favorites! I love this book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book! Incredible art, amazing women., November 19, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art. Rage. Us.: Art and Writing by Women with Breast Cancer (Hardcover)

I love this book. An awesome testimony to the power of the women who have contributed. The art is beautifully poignant, moving, meaningful. I have never had breast cancer, but know and love many women who have (I am an oncologist) and I think this book is an amazing example of the incredible strength, courage, humor and insight of the women who had the guts and grace to not only create the visual and written images but to publish them for all to see. I have shown this book to everyone I can find--the medical students, doctors, nurses and social workers with whom I work at the Massey Cancer Center at VCU in Richmond--I have promised one of my patients to show it to her the next time she is in the clinic. It is so inspiring. Don't even ask me which pieces are my favorites! I love this book!