Exhibition aiming to raise awareness on debilitating syndrome caused by radiation therapy now open at Telford Retail Park in Inverness
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A photo exhibition which opened its doors in the Highland capital yesterday is aiming to highlight the effects of a rare complication following radiation therapy treatment for brain cancer.
Living with SMART is the result of the collaboration between photographer Evija Laivina and Brandon Gunn (28) from Inverness, who suffers from stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy syndrome (SMART).
Brandon was diagnosed with the condition aged only 17 and since then he suffered several strokes which had an impact on his mobility as well as his ability to speak and swallow.
It was after joining the Headway Highland photo walks that he met Evija – who organised the walks last year as part of the Highland Culture Collective project.
During the walks, Evija noticed Brandon's eye for photography and learned about the condition for the first time.
"I was shocked to my core," she said. "There is very little knowledge about this condition and just how challenging it can be for people who are affected by it and their families.
"Brandon and I decided to have an exchange – while I was helping him with his photography (which is also on show at the exhibition), I was able to capture his life at home and outside.
"I wanted to show how isolating this can be and let more people know about this condition, show the daily struggles and triumphs of living with it."
The exhibition is set in an open space at Circus Artspace with Evija's photographs organised in circles, showing snapshots of more public life on the outer side and more private moments in the inner circles.
Evija said she was very thankful to Circus Artspace, and Highland Culture Collective for supporting the project.
Lauren Hendry, project manager for the Highland Culture Collective, said: “We are so excited to see the exhibition which Evija and Brandon have created together.
"Living with SMART will be another example of the brilliant work the artists of the Highland Culture Collective have been doing over the last two years, working creatively and collaboratively with people across the region. The Scottish Government funding has enabled our artists-in-residence to work with diverse communities, such as our collaboration with Headway Highland through which Evija and Brandon first met, and where Evija supported participants with acquired brain injuries to express themselves through photography.
“This exhibition wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Circus Artspace – we are extremely thankful for their help, and are proud to exhibit work in a space shared by many of the Highland’s most talented contemporary artists.”
Living with SMART, runs from today (July 5) to July 8 at Circus Artspace in Carsegate Road and will be open from 10am to 4pm and a closing event on July 8 at 2pm.
