Marianne Catherine Faith
Tell us a little about who you are and what brought you here.
I am Marianne, a 42 year old breast cancer survivor, world traveller, lover of all things indulgent and dog mum to Gordie. I am currently 8 years cancer free with no recurrence, and in three weeks I will out live my mother who lost her battle to cancer 2 months before her 43 birthday when I was only 15 year old. I started photographing my breast cancer journey @HER2warrior in 2017 to remind others of the power of vulnerability. As an artist myself I know how powerful storytelling is and I have embraced my power by sharing the good, the bad and the ugly that is survivng cancer. It was incredibly therapeutic to be photographed by Marilyn for the Desire Lines project, and I am honoured to be amongst those whom have bared much more than the scars of their skin.
What invisible or visible part of your story do you wish more people understood?
Breast cancer in your 30’s is much more than “getting a free boob job”. It comes with many losses. The loss of your identity, of relationships, of your fertility, of your sexuality and of your security (emotionally, spiritually, physically and financially). With these losses comes a wisdom beyond your years after facing your own mortality before middle age. You learn what truly matters in life and how precious each moment is.
How did it feel to be photographed as part of Desire Lines?
Empowering
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
Thank you xo
This art is not for sale.
People’s pain and hardship cannot be commodified in this space. This space exists simply to inspire anyone who is struggling to cope or searching for a way through.
The art is a gift from myself and every participant. These images capture a moment in time that allowed us to realise that our pain has given us something priceless:
Wisdom and resilience.
They form the desire lines we walk as we move through each new storm we face, again and again.
marilyntuna.art 