We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Penn and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Melanie, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
In 2012, I tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation. After five and a half years of biopsies and scares I ultimately elected to undergo a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in 2018. This surgery was life changing in so many ways and brought my risk of developing breast cancer down from approximately 87% to less than 5%.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The majority of my art centers around women’s stories. I have completed over 100 portraits of women which consist of their outlines filled with their own words about their lives, struggles, accomplishments and experiences. The majority of these potraits center a subject matter that society would prefer be swept under the rug ie cancer, sexual trauma, child and pregnancy loss etc. By using just the figure’s outlines and bold texts, viewers focus less on what the woman looks like and more on who she is, what her life is, and what she wants to tell you. These images were all shared to my instagram and below them the woman’s full blurb with as much of their story as they cared to share was available to viewers. In 2020 the first 100 images were printed on fabric and sewn into a quilt, by my friend Jessica, which was raffled off to benefit BCRF in honor of my late friend Emily Garnett. In the same year I did a mural of these word figures for the Kendra Scott Soho NYC store windows to again honor Emily on Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Being able to give back to the community that has been there for me through so much is my greatest joy. I credit my current successes with being truly authenticly Melanie. I won’t hide who I am, nor would I censor the stories of any of the women I feature, or my criticism of how women’s healthcare is managed and mismanaged. I think people want to relate back to the real person behind the art. I think especially after the last few years, and especially in the community I work within there is no place for sugar coating and glossing over the truth. Does this unfortunately turn off some people? Of course. My language use, bold imagery of women with visible surgical scars and confrontation of difficult images maybe is not for everyone. But you do not have to be for everyone and the right people will find you. This remains the most important lesson my artwork has taught me. I think willingness to give back has been a huge part of how I got to where I am. The vast majority of the bigger opportunities I have been honored to have were the result of my connections through volunteering.
I want the world to know that sharing your story can be so powerful. All of my current work began when I publicly shared my news that I would be undergoing a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. Had I not done that none of this would exist today. And it was terrifying, but sometimes the best things are.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I was four years old my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer (now a 30 year survivor!). Her willingness to participate in an ongoing gene trial is what led us to know about our BRCA1 mutation. I owe her my life and continued health and am forever grateful for her ongoing support of all of my artistic endeavors.
Website: Www.melanielynnpenndesign.com
Instagram: Melanielynnpenndesign
Other: Wordwomenbymlp.etsy.com
Image Credits
Photo of quilt being held up to give credit to Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) all others by myself.