Head On Photo Festival
HEAD ON PORTRAIT PRIZE FINALIST
My image Identity of Beauty ( portrait of Katie ) has been featured at Head On Festival in Bondi, Sydney.
From my series - Reflections of Identity
“Beauty to me is owning what makes you unique. Learning to become confident with what makes you different to everybody else and running with it. @katieoakley_
In May 2022 I underwent Craniectomy surgery to remove an infected titanium plate from my skull, the follow on from this involved me having to live life in a medical helmet for 8 months to protect my brain.
My Neuro and Plastic surgeons asked that I shave my head for the reconstruction Cranioplasty procedure to fit a new plate in the skull defect along with the rotation of my scalp to replace damaged tissue and a split skin graft taken from my thigh.
The graft site on my scalp will never be capable of growing hair as it does not contain follicles to do so, this is something I am learning to accept.
Some would call it a permanent disfigurement to my appearance, I like to say ‘it’s a story to tell’
Essentially my body is the vessel which is carrying me through life, the way it looks does not affect who I am as a person or my purpose in this second chance I have been given.
The most beautiful people I know are the ones who have shown me so much support, love and compassion on this journey I have been on.
Showing now @headonphotofest #headonfestival #bondipaviliongallery
