Nora walked into my studio wearing electric pink and yellow eye makeup, sporting a cane to steady themselves, and holding a beautiful traditional South Korean Hanbok dress. They’re a dynamic character; culinarily trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, a regional award winning musician, and most recently battling a neurological movement disorder which has left them disabled.
On days when they aren't feeling well, they put on strong, bold makeup so that people won’t notice their cane. I was inspired to turn the perception of disability as a weakness into that of strength and asked them to pose as if their cane was giving them power. Suddenly their eyes lit up, shoulders went back, and they proudly gripped the cane as if they were finally taking charge!
I hoped to show Nora’s strength through such adversity in their piece as well as pay tribute to the bright, happy colors they like to wear to make them feel strong.
On days when they aren't feeling well, they put on strong, bold makeup so that people won’t notice their cane. I was inspired to turn the perception of disability as a weakness into that of strength and asked them to pose as if their cane was giving them power. Suddenly their eyes lit up, shoulders went back, and they proudly gripped the cane as if they were finally taking charge!
I hoped to show Nora’s strength through such adversity in their piece as well as pay tribute to the bright, happy colors they like to wear to make them feel strong.