Nora
Saguaro Still Standing
Acrylic, oil pastels, colored pencils
Artist Statement
My name is Nora, and I am 14 years old. My mom was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma in her right arm 2 years ago. She had to undergo two major arm surgeries and radiation that left her arm disfigured. My mom was born in Tucson, Arizona, and is obsessed with cacti, especially saguaros. A couple of major characteristics of a saguaro are its resilience and ability to adapt to harsh environments. I think that, in some way, being around plants that survive in such relentless climates can really shape someone's perspective on unavoidable life events. The skull next to the saguaro represents the uncertainty that surrounded my family. The thought of waking up and not being able to see my mom stuck with me for a long time. The hawk symbolizes perspective on life and the ability to rise above daily challenges. It is a common belief that if you see a hawk, it means a new chapter in your life is approaching. This includes looking at the bigger picture and taking action instead of merely waiting for things to get better. I think overall, this work shows the hardships and resilience that surrounded my mom's treatments, and how, at the end of the day, we have to keep living life to the fullest, because you never know where tomorrow will take you.
52 Views of Cancer
52 Views of Cancer is a deck of playing cards illustrated by people who know cancer firsthand. Each of the 52 cards carries original artwork by a different cancer patient, survivor, or immediate family member, each with their own view of the disease.
The artwork comes first. We're bringing the deck to major scientific and medical conferences and putting these artists' work directly into the hands of the researchers and clinicians working on the cancers they've faced.
Learn more about Invenra’s efforts to fight cancer.
