Body as a Negative 2019
In this work, I return to traumatic memories and experiences that I endured as an inter-organ tumor patient. My situation was one of 300 cases worldwide where science had few answers to the cause and how to proceed. The medical procedures performed upon my body during the initial 9-hour surgery, live as a photographic negative in my life. Deep somatic memory is called to visibility in this work, externalised through the photographic surface.
Through returning to the memories and replaying them under controlled studio conditions, I transform them on a cellular level, so my body can regain balance. In this act of return, I replace the invasive surgical instrument with my camera as a receptive device to register, merge and enable a ritual of healing. It is this process of emphatic engagement that brings dimensionality to the body and self again, and grows a capacity to join with the suffering of others. From this work I than meet my Father, supporting him as a cancer patient.
Surgery No. II 2018
In this work, I return to traumatic memories and experiences that I endured as an inter-organ tumor patient. My situation was one of 300 cases worldwide where science had few answers to the cause and how to proceed. The medical procedures performed upon my body during the initial 9-hour surgery, live as a photographic negative in my life. Deep somatic memory is called to visibility in this work, externalised through the photographic surface.
Through returning to the memories and replaying them under controlled studio conditions, I transform them on a cellular level, so my body can regain balance. In this act of return, I replace the invasive surgical instrument with my camera as a receptive device to register, merge and enable a ritual of healing. It is this process of emphatic engagement that brings dimensionality to the body and self again, and grows a capacity to join with the suffering of others. From this work I than meet my Father, supporting him as a cancer patient.
Healing Bath 2018
In this work, I return to traumatic memories and experiences that I endured as an inter-organ tumor patient. My situation was one of 300 cases worldwide where science had few answers to the cause and how to proceed. The medical procedures performed upon my body during the initial 9-hour surgery, live as a photographic negative in my life. Deep somatic memory is called to visibility in this work, externalised through the photographic surface.
Through returning to the memories and replaying them under controlled studio conditions, I transform them on a cellular level, so my body can regain balance. In this act of return, I replace the invasive surgical instrument with my camera as a receptive device to register, merge and enable a ritual of healing. It is this process of emphatic engagement that brings dimensionality to the body and self again, and grows a capacity to join with the suffering of others. From this work I than meet my Father, supporting him as a cancer patient.
Note: The text above was written by the Artist. No modification was made by COCA.
Izabela Jurcewicz
Poland
Izabela’s photographs have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions, including the International Center of Photography, ClampArt, Baxter St CCNY, School of Visual Arts Flatiron Gallery, Affirmation Arts in New York, RISD Museum and MONA Museum of the Newest Art in Poznan. Her works were presented during such international photography festivals as Unseen Amsterdam (Unseen Dummy Awards), Month of Photography in Bratislava (OFF), 12th Fotofestival in Lodz, 8th Biennale of Photography in Poznan. She was an artist-in-residence at the School of Visual Arts and her works were included in publications by International Center of Photography, University of Arts in Poznan, Arsenal Gallery in Poznan and BlackBox Gallery in Portland. Recent talks include Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Griffin Museum of Photography. She is a graduate of MFA in Photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. Izabela is currently a lecturer at the University of Arts in Poznan in the Photography Department.