I found this early 20th Century silver votive plate in an old antique shop in Athens. The tradition of votive offerings goes back to ancient times, when worshippers would leave depictions of the human body as votive offerings in a temple or sanctuary, hoping for a cure or as thanks for one.
I try to picture the woman who offered this hand made plate to her favourite saint. The breasts slightly differ in size and shape, making the depiction more real and intimate than factory produced votives – an interesting analogy for the ‘perfect’ body image currently conveyed through the media opposed to the naturally occurring diversity of body shapes and appearances.
Now it’s my turn to express my gratitude, not to a deity but to the NHS, the Breast Cancer Haven and all my friends, for the life affirming support and treatment received after being diagnosed with breast cancer (2009).
And through sharing this object, I extend the votive offering tradition into the secular realm and hope to connect all women in their quests for acceptance & healing.