The Artists of Keep A Breast Mexico
EXPOSICIÓN DE ARTE PARA EL MES DE LA PREVENCIÓN DEL CÁNCER DE MAMA
These limited edition posters were created in collaboration with Keep A Breast and six artists from Mexico City to promote the launch of the Keep A Breast App in Spanish.
Through art, we can uniquely communicate and express deep, complex concepts and emotions. We can also engage people in conversations about health and community activism in a new way and sometimes in an unlikely location, like a cafe or in the streets with street art.
The Keep A Breast app focuses on information, support, and, most importantly, access. For the first time, a breast self-check app now connects users who think they may have discovered something during their check with a telehealth medical professional.
We advocate for the self-check, as we’ve so commonly come in contact with young women who have found their own lumps. With 40% of diagnosed breast cancers being self-detected, establishing what is "normal" for you is crucial to knowing your body and creating awareness of when something is wrong.
In Mexico women under 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer 13.3% more frequently than women in North America.
We use art to start conversations about something serious and complex.
We use art to design information that is both engaging and beautiful and empowers action.
We use art to influence people to be a part of a community that cares about each other.
We use art to connect to people where they are.
Our Mission is to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact globally through art, education, prevention and action.
THE ARTISTS
ALINA KILIWA @ALINAKILWA
ABOUT MY ART
I decided to play with the Mexican language. Using the word “chichis” to refer to breasts is often used a double entendre or in a derogatory way to laugh at or make fun of. That’s why I wanted to normalize this word by using it differently, trying to tell people to explore it for themselves. It seemed to me that it is easier to reach people by using this word for breasts and taking away a little of the meaning and connotation of it. The composition and design refer to the signs that we see in the streets of Mexico and I think that since it is a campaign in Spanish, its message can be more powerful.
ABOUT ME
I chose to be part of the project because I am certain that art and design are a great way of communicating and being able to raise awareness in people to generate some reflection. I think that letters and lettering are a very powerful form of communication, and if I can use this to raise awareness about the importance of self-exploration, it's a great achievement.
CLAUDIA RIVERIA @KLOART_
ABOUT MY ART
As an illustrator, naturally I wanted to tell a story of two figures, that had a clear and fun message and that was complimented by relics of Mexico. I primarily focused on identifying with younger women, and tried to make the poster as friendly and fun as possible. Then, seeing this poster, they understand that breast cancer is nothing to be scared of. It is empowering to take control of your health and understand all of your options.
ABOUT ME
I choose to be a part of this project because it is one very personal to me. For as long as I can remember, words like breast cancer and BRCA have been heavily present in my life because the reality was that I was going to get breast cancer. Thankfully with research and medicine, I was able to undergo risk-reducing surgery, which greatly decreased my chances of ever getting breast cancer in the future. As a 26 year old, gender-fluid, non-binary female and person of color, I needed to understand myself, my body and how people of color are typically treated within the healthcare system. I wanted to raise awareness that there are resources out there for everyone.
CRISTINA MAYA @CRISTINAMAYA02
ABOUT MY ART
I chose to be part of Keep A Breast since breast cancer is the main cause of death in women in Mexico, I found it very interesting to be able to contribute to send the message of the importance of self-examination and the search for medical attention. Perhaps it is due to shame, fear or lack of interest from ourselves. It is important to put aside taboos and focus on the fact that breast cancer is a reality that affects thousands of women around the world. For this reason, I believe that the new Keep A Breast App will be an ally for Mexican women's health, helping in a safe and reliable way for the early detection of this disease.
ABOUT ME
Many times between work and daily chores, women completely forget about ourselves, we put aside our own existence. We are quite concerned about everything and everyone around us and we leave ourselves at the bottom of the list of important things, feeling that in being good with others, we should be good with ourselves. And by "being good" I mean both physically and emotionally. I want to convey the feeling and message of self-love and all that it entails in my poster illustration. Preventing and treating any disease, especially breast cancer and cervical cancer, should be on the daily agenda of all women. Let's change education so that prevention is always a priority.
CUATRO SIETE @CUATROSIETE
ABOUT MY ART
My design is based on heart-shaped breasts. I think our real feeling comes from there, where body and soul can connect. There is breast cancer in my ancestral history, which made me aware and taught me the importance of love and care of our body.
ABOUT ME
This project is human and with heart, it is the main reason for my inspiration to collaborate. as well as that there has been cancer in my family. I know that with prevention and timely information, it is possible to save our lives. It is incredible to be part of a project so beautiful.
PAOLA DELFIN @PAOLA_DELFIN
ABOUT MY ART
No matter where we come from or how different we can be, as women and as humans, we must take care of each other, and invite each other to protect our body and minds. My design speaks precisely of this collective care, and with this specific project, represents the unity that can protect us to have longer lives.
ABOUT ME
I chose to participate in this project for several different reasons. I think that as an artist, it is very important to collaborate with causes that raise awareness, and this particular project is super important as a woman, since it invites us to take care of ourselves, not only individually but as a collective. I think it is a small contribution on my part to something that is very great and that if you are aware it can save many lives.
VLOCKE NEGRO @VLOCKE_NEGRO
ABOUT MY ART
The poster design is inspired by a very popular sport in Mexico, Lucha Libre. Women are an important part of this scene that reaches all social levels, but especially the neighborhoods. When we see a mask of this type, the word "Lucha" immediately jumps out, to win this fight, for life. It is an analogy for the situation women have to face when confronting cancer.
ABOUT ME
I felt very comfortable collaborating with Keep A Breast because I think it promotes ideas that I agree with, such as mutual support, solidarity and the inclusion of sexual diversity. It is also an honor to be included with other artists that I admire and respect.