Contours of Resilience; Invisible Battles; Embrace Lost
Contours of Resilience; Invisible Battles; Embrace Lost
This series of A3 prints delves into the profound emotional landscape of isolation and the severed bonds that accompany it.
In ‘Contours of Resilience’, a woman’s contorted figure speaks of the toll of spinal fractures, intertwining physical and mental anguish. The portrayal of a postpartum body hints at the challenge of navigating motherhood amid pain and transformed self-image.
‘Invisible Battles’ captures the silent struggle of the unseen, the misunderstood. It embodies the universal battle for recognition and understanding in the face of undiagnosed or rare diseases.
In ‘Embrace Lost’ the outstretched hands symbolise the anguish of severed motherhood, the loss of bond with one’s child, caused by the inability to fully nurture.
Artist – Rhyanna Halasovski
Rhyanna Halasovski aims to convey both sensitivity and unapologetic strength in her digital art by utilising negative space and minimal design to capture the raw essence of the female form.
Artist Rhyanna has captured the disease research and patient voice by creating images which show the experiences of women with PAO, the effect of the disease on the shape of the body, the loneliness that women feel on their journey to diagnosis and beyond, and the loss of connection between mother and child.
Scientist – Karen Whitehead MBE
Co-ordinator and Patient Researcher, Pregnancy Associated Osteoporosis (PAO) Patient Group
Karen is the patient researcher on the PAO project and co-author of the published research. Diagnosis can be a long and difficult process, with mothers reporting they struggle to bond with their newborns as a result of the excruciating disease pain and trauma.
Scientist – Kathryn Berg
Trial Manager, Centre of Genomics and Experimental Medicine, University of Edinburgh
Kathryn is the trial lead for the Pregnancy Associated Osteoporosis (PAO) Study, an observational study into this rare type of osteoporosis, led by the University of Edinburgh, Genomics and Experimental Medicine Centre. This study has revealed the quality of life in women who have been diagnosed with PAO remains significantly lower than in a control population.