Art is a way of expressing many things in this world, not only personal, social and historical issues, but also much more specific matters, and often that art is in harmony with solidarity towards people who suffer. In this case, art, women and the suffering that many endure come together as one.
Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting the El Ateneo gallery, which always has several art exhibitions open to the public and absolutely free of charge. But this month in particular, one of them was dedicated to women suffering from breast cancer, something that torments them and in many cases makes them feel very different as women.
Of course, I cannot help but wonder why this is so. Many say it is hereditary, and in some cases that may be true, but I also think about everything I have learned and about today's society. The breast is related to children, and I think about how many concerns women who are mothers have today. I am not a mother and I do not know what goes through their minds.
I am only the mother of two cats whom I adore, but I am far from feeling what a mother feels for her children and all the worries and suffering that can surround it. To a lesser extent, it is also related to the lack of protection from the partner, from the man. There are some cases like that, an absent husband who does not take his wife into account or even mistreats her. I think about those emotional causes of such a horrible disease.
And when I arrived at the gallery and saw an exhibition dedicated to women who go through this torment, I liked to see the amount of demonstrations in support of them and not only that but also collaboration, love for women who suffer. Women are the givers of life on earth. As a woman myself, I was very moved to see each work of art.
The number 19 was very prominent, as there were 19 artists exhibiting works that were totally different from each other, but all significant. Art was used, in this case, as a mediator, with empathy, thus approaching the problem that many women suffer.
Nineteen artists collaborated with different languages in their art and with the sensitivity to address this very delicate issue in our society, calling for reflection in all cases, giving food for thought in each work on display and with great expression.
Solidarity in its broadest sense was evident, with art being used in this case to raise awareness of this issue.
Many people attended this exhibition, and I think bringing it to this space is a good way to spread the word. October is the month chosen to address breast cancer, but this and all cancers have no date, month or day; every day it is necessary to raise awareness and analyse what is happening.
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If you look closely at each work of art, which included everything from paintings to photography to sculpture, you will see the intensity of what is being conveyed. They have a strong impact, and I am sure that the women reading this today and looking at the works of art will agree with me. Some of the exhibits even bring tears to my eyes, as is happening to me right now.
I feel that all the works convey a very intense message of strength and encouragement to women going through this process, and there is one work that clearly expresses this message with the words: Keep shining.
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A woman is a woman because her soul is, but often the loss of a part of ourselves makes us feel less, even though it shouldn't be that way. The social gaze is very powerful, the gaze of family, children, husband, friends. That is why I believe it is important to raise awareness about the support and comfort needed by women who have to go through this horrible disease that touches a woman's soul and affects her.
Of course, each work has its own strength and intensity; some strike the eye and the heart strongly, while others do so in a very subtle way. I would love to hear in the comments which one you liked best or which one impacted you and why.
Thank you for joining me today with this emotional art exhibition. I wish you all a wonderful Sunday. See you soon.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
