A Celebration of Healing: Lives Touched by Breast Cancer

Paintings by Sal Brownfield
Galerie Timothy Tew, Atlanta , GA October 6-14, 2004

A Celebration of Healing is Atlanta artist Sal Brownfield's paintings of lives touched by breast cancer. The works are not portraits destined for a hallway of ancestors or painted to match a green sofa. Each is a bold collaboration in which the subject is as much muse as model. The paintings are about transition.from illness to healing, from chaos to calm. They demand stories be told and stigma be abandoned. They affirm essential humanity and honor lives touched by illness. Brownfield's hope is that they be viewed openly, without hesitation.

Reactions to the paintings affirm their power.ranging from silence and tears to an outpouring of stories. Because of this energy and the diversity of models there is interest in the collection remaining as a whole, perhaps at a women's college, in a women's health center, or in a cancer hospital. There is discussion about the series touring. Suggestions have been made to publish a book of the paintings and stories or that there be a theatre piece based on the work. Recommendations have been made to seek funding and a delivery system for a pamphlet of the paintings and stories that could be given away to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Brownfield observes: "Art is a non-clinical, non-judgmental, non-intellectual stimulus which resonates on a spiritual level. This is not art therapy but art itself as healing."

Each painting is both representational and abstract, designed to create a sense of sanctuary using a contemporary stained glass motif. The series consists of twelve(+) 5' x 4' oil and shellac works on canvas and a collection of drawings. The title of the series comes from Brownfield's belief that life is a joyous, improbable experience, a wonder and a mystery. Life must be celebrated even in illness.

Galerie Timothy Tew, Atlanta , GA will host an Extraordinary Event On October 7, with Sal Brownfield and the Celebration of Healing models. The paintings will be at the gallery October 6-14, 2004 and will hang in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton, Buckhead, Atlanta during the annual Pink Tie Ball of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Atlanta Affiliate, October 16, 2004. Fifteen percent of all sales will benefit the Komen Atlanta affiliate.

Additional support for the Celebration project has come from the Foah Family, Rachel LaCour Niesen and Andrew Niesen photojournalists, and A Southern Tradition catering and special events.

August 2004

Contacts:

salbrownfield@mindspring.com
evehoffman@mindspring.com

info@timothytew.com