Body Memories

ART BECOMES A CATALYST FOR HEALING AND INSPIRATION IN THE BOOK "BODY MEMORIES" BY SUSAN FALKMAN. The photographs by Dean Johnson of marble breast sculptures are accompanied by the words of women who relate to the art from their experiences with breast cancer. The journey of two friends is woven through the threads of text. The design by Sher Shachameyer weaves a tapestry of subtlety marked with accents of drama. It is a book to cherish and return to again and again. When Susan Falkman went to her studio to carve a marble breast sculpture for her friend Jean, who was on the eve of her mastectomy, she had no idea that her impulse would impact so many. After carving this first simple shape she carved 28 more breast sculptures which became the nucleus for Body Memories. Because of the grass-roots support and interest generated during its first and subsequent showings, the exhibition traveled to seven cities and has been seen by thousands of visitors. At each venue, visitors were invited to record their reactions to the exhibition within a book that traveled with the exhibit. Some of their heartfelt comments join those of the original group of women on the pages of this just published book. "This beautiful, evocative and tender book offers an inspiring and healing experience to all those who have been touched by breast cancer. For the medical community it provides deeper insight into the realities of the whole person. It is a book to be cherished." Kathryn Havens M.D. Medical Director for Women's Health, Zablocki V.A. Medical Center