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Exotica

I Have the Power

art by Toni Barca
(11/22/06)

These lino cuts represent the women who survive breast cancer and a mastectomy, who then return to interact with their lovers.


graphic

I Still Love You




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I Still Desire You




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My Soul Is Intact


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I Will Always Love You






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I Have the Power

















































































































































Toni Barca describes her art:

The first lino cut, "I Still Love You," shows the woman almost hiding her scar, one arm upraised in an attempt to shield it from her lover's eyes. She has one tear, she seems ashamed, and her lover reaches out to her, his penis erect, his eyes capturing her gaze. The Fish represents spirituality; on their third eyes you will notice that they each have hearts, a symbol of their pure love and regards for each other. Water signifies pure intuition, the idea that water is fluid yet powerful, a place of great depth, dreams and power, in TAO water represents the female energy.

In "I Still Desire You," their legs are intertwined, though she has a tear, her left arm is outstretched to capture the sun (the dawning of self esteem and self empowerment). She is unashamed. He is erect and desires her and sees her as beautiful in her transformation.

The third is titled, "My Soul Is Intact." Here you have a woman, holding one dead, decayed breast. She does not cry, a tattoo ornates her one perfect breast. She is an Amazon, a warrior who has vanquished breast cancer. It takes that kind of power to face such a battle, it takes power when one beats cancer or one succumbs to it (sometimes the diagnosis has come too late and death is looming.) This warrior sits alone to contemplate her life.

The fourth lino cut, "I Will Always Love You," represents two women, lovers (most likely), however, it can represent mother and daughter, friend to friend. The main idea is that when we face a sista, we will break down and weep hot tears of grief and relief to let go. Besides, what matters is that the woman who has a mastectomy is weeping an ocean, a river of tears. She is safe to do so with her sista. Her hand disappears into her own scar. The other woman stands there, in full acceptance of her physical transformation, handing her the sun (the power of life, healing, self esteem). The foot of the woman handing her the sun is stepping over a wave of her grief (not ignoring the grief, but overcoming it). She reaches out to her with both hand and sun, as if saying I accept you, please accept yourself for I will always love you.

"I Have the Power" is the fifth and final lino cut in the breast cancer series. Here you have the breast cancer survivor triumphant in her victory. She is a dawn into her new self. From the left side water falls (water is intuitive, soft yet powerful, feminine energy); on her right side are the stars and moon, (the subconscious realms of our inner power, the unknown universe yet explored). Near her calf is a shooting star -- a part of her is dead, and the sun represents the dawning of a new self. She stands alone, but enriched by her own company, she is bathed in peace.

©2006 by Toni Barca

Reader Comments


Some of Toni Barca's original artwork has recently been accepted by The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction (Indiana University), as part of their permanent collection. Her work was originally published by Clean Sheets a few years ago as a gallery, and also as Paper Buddha & Some Ice Cubes earlier this year. Her poetry and articles have appeared in Bparis.com, Scarlet Letters, The Word (Japan), Bad Attitude, and other places. See her Web site for more information, and also her blog. Her artwork is available for purchase at Artmajeur Gallery.




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