When I arrived at my friends sun-filled garden and climbed inside the Mongolian yurt, there was a sense that something special was about to happen. This circular, hand-made space became our cocoon for connection and emergence – I was here to create a henna crown, the first of two for Tracy Murray (of Shut Up and Relax Yoga), both times captured by professional photographer, Kate Modlock, and sustained with tea, cake and vegetables by Alexandra Westaway, our host.
It’s amazing what happens when 4 women come together in the name of art, healing and friendship; these women have a special place in my heart and mind and I feel honoured to be a part of this evolution.
This first afternoon was a gift from Tracy’s friends – which she was unaware of until my arrival bringing their card of support. My design inspiration came in part from the image on their card and partly from Mongolian and Indian folk art, plus some of my favourite henna motifs.
Certain magic was formed and I’m thrilled to see some far-reaching results from the time we spent together: SPOONFUL (issue three), a beautifully printed Arts Health Institute Publication, contains a piece about Tracy’s experience featuring one of Kate’s beautiful images.
It reads: “Tracy Murray, a 51-year-old mother of three from Brisbane, has experienced wearing a henna crown twice as a result of chemotherapy for breast cancer. Murray started losing her hair two weeks after her first chemo treatment. Oriel, a henna artist from Henna Harem created both crowns.
Murray said she felt empowered as a result of her henna crown. “When I had the crown, particularly the first one, I didn’t feel like hanging my head or hiding my baldness. I wanted to show it off and stand tall with it. Even now, as my hair comes back in, I don’t feel the need to hide.”
Murray says she would love to see more women wearing henna crowns and for more people to understand why it is important. “You can feel very diminished when you’re going through any treatment. I wanted to have something that expressed how I felt on the inside, that this physical body could show that I was a fighter. I didn’t want pity, just understanding.”
For this image Kate also placed in the Top 100 of the massive Shoot & Share photography contest. Congratulations Kate!
I’ve also just heard we are to be in the next issue of The Beacon (Breast Cancer Network Australia publication).
On the second occasion Tracy’s hair was growing back and she wanted another crown before the opportunity was lost for one, shaving away the precious new growth. How fabulous is that for an endorsement!? This time we met in a Brisbane park, our same roles once again, with Tracy the muse and canvas. Design inspiration came from Ottoman-style flower motifs and European peasant art.
Tracy’s blog on each henna crown can be seen:
shutupandrelaxyoga.com/henna-crown-yep-im-finally-princess/
shutupandrelaxyoga.com/henna-crown-2/
Kate’s blog on each henna crown can be seen:
katemodlock.com.au/henna-crown/
katemodlock.com.au/henna-heals-brisbane-portrait-session/
From all those that have received one, I understand that wearing a henna crown when undergoing a baring condition, such as the results of cancer treatment or alopecia aerate, can be enormously uplifting creating a sense of strength and beauty.
My first henna head was for international artist, Alexandra Spyratos in 2009. She was documenting her cancer journey in film format, (although I’ve never seen the footage!). You can read her testimonial on our website here.
If you know anyone who could benefit from this creative expression, please share my details, I treasure the opportunity to share special life moments; or can recommend other artists who may be geographically closer to safely and sensitively attend.
In the shade of the trees, with a salty breeze.
Delicate, Divine, Earthy, Robust.