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Notes
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The sitter, Sylvia Mac, a burns survivor and body positivity campaigner, says: 'I’ve suffered a lot of mental health issues not seeing representation of my body in the media. There seems to be awareness around facial scars and disfigurement, but never any around body scarring. If someone approaches me and I tell them that I am a burns survivor, they look at me blankly because they can’t see burns on my face. This sort of response really affects you after some time. I wanted to do something about this. I met with him and his wife and they made me feel good about myself and were so gracious throughout. Alastair is so good with words, he talked me through the entire process. Knowing that his wife was included in the process also helped.
I often feel like I am the only person raising awareness of body scarring and I want this portrait to ignite a change there. Of course, nowadays, there are a lot more brand campaigns and efforts towards diversity in the media, but even still, it is never centred around body scarring. There aren’t enough support groups or funding for burns survivors.
I’m so pleased with the piece, I love it, I think it’s so beautiful. Sometimes I look at it and just sit and cry. My burns meant that growing up I never liked being photographed, I always had my head down. But this portrait makes me feel so empowered.
Since the painting was completed I have gone on to create a talent agency to help people with all types of differences and disabilities break into the media, fashion and speakers industries.'
Royal Society of Portrait Painters People's Portraits collection at Girton College, University of Cambridge
Cambridge
Title
Love Disfigure
Date
2020
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 132 x W 90 cm (E)
Accession number
726
Acquisition method
on loan from the Royal Society of Portrait Painters
Work type
Painting
Signature/marks description
signature
Royal Society of Portrait Painters People's Portraits collection at Girton College, University of Cambridge
Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0JG England
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Girish Sethna, Note-Taker Royal Society of Portrait Painters People's Portraits collection at Girton College, University of Cambridge -
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