Female Exposure . . .
Date: September 2019
Vernissage / Preview: 31 August 2019 @ 4pm
Location: Kloster Brunshausen 7, 37581 Bad Gandersheim, Germany
A project exploring how the media’s representation of the unobtainable woman has shaped society’s ideals of beauty.
About the Artist
Hannah Byford is a Skegness-based photographer. She studied Photography at the University of East London, where she successfully achieved a First-Class Honours degree with distinction (BA Hons).
Her photographic practice is largely project-based, dedicating long periods of time to exploring a single subject. This focused approach ensures each project has space to evolve and reach full completion. Much of her work is self-initiated, with Hannah spending significant time gathering inspiration for future ideas.
Her time at university allowed her to grow into an ambitious photographer, laying the foundation for her continued development and artistic progression.
Hannah’s choice of subject matter stems from a fascination with traditional understandings of relationships and a deep-rooted passion for female representation. Her work embraces a naturalistic approach. Using realism and natural light, she aims to create a truthful interpretation of the world around her, engaging with cultural issues relevant to the 21st century.
Cancer
There are no words to describe the devastating heartbreak of being told you have cancer. So yes, I have cancer — but that doesn’t mean everything has to change. Cancer cannot shatter my hope, it cannot conquer my spirit, nor will it invade my mind. Cancer cannot diminish the things I love and treasure, and it will not change my ambition or what I want from my life.
That’s not to say this hasn’t been the hardest time of my life, nor does it lessen the battle ahead of me — but today I read that “hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness” — and I have plenty of hope, love, and support surrounding me.
Admitting you have cancer is hard. Accepting you have cancer — even harder. Denial is a stage I’ve been in these past few months. To be 24 and facing fertility treatment alongside chemotherapy isn’t something I ever planned for.
To say I feel lucky sounds strange, but I do feel fortunate to be in a position where I can be treated — knowing I’m on a path back to health. Not everyone diagnosed with cancer can say the same.
Facing cancer at any age is never easy. But we face it, we walk that path, we fight with everything we have, and we try to remain strong despite the fear.
I want to bring light to what has been a dark time by raising as much awareness and support as possible for young adults and children who face cancer. Sadly, symptoms in young people are often overlooked. The Teenage Cancer Trust has been incredible throughout my entire journey and will continue to support me. For every young person they help, there’s another they unfortunately can’t.
I braved my biggest insecurities, faced my biggest fears, and walked into a thousand judgmental eyes — but I did it. And I finally realised: maybe bald isn’t so bad after all.
To look in the mirror and not recognise yourself is one of the hardest things you can face with cancer. And although it took me until today to understand it, it’s liberating to realise that my appearance is not what defines me.
Cancer stole my hair, my health, and my body — and yet, I’m still the same person.
I hope 2019 brings peace. Peace with what I’ve been through, and peace with where I’m heading. I’m excited to regain my happiness, my health, and to finally conquer this battle.
Strictly limited fine art prints available for purchase.
Kindly sponsored by Graham Lewinton / Skegness Partnership
Female Exposure by Hannah Byford
Text and images ©John Byford ~ All rights reserved