To support the annual “Art Bra” fundraiser for Austin’s Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC), Texas Oncology’s Dr. Jane Chawla has created a masterpiece – putting her jewelry-making hobby skills to work on an exquisite creation. The piece will be auctioned off at the Art Bra Austin event on June 8. Learn more about BCRC. Read Dr. Chawla’s inspiring comments below.
What creative inspiration or spark led you to the specific design approach that you took in this piece?
This bra is covered in gold satin and adorned with over 25,000 gold-plated seed beads and about 2,500 Swarovski crystals and pearls. It is entirely hand-stitched with eleven hand-crafted panels of gold seed bead lattice work highlighting the Swarovski crystal and pearls. My goal was for this bra to be blindingly beautiful.
After undergoing surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, women must get used to being in their “new skin,” and have to reshape their body image. I wanted to make a bra that would make every woman who has gone through breast cancer treatment feel special and comfortable in their “new skin.” I imagined how I would like to look if I had to go through similar treatment.
I see the inner strength, courage, and beauty that women going through breast cancer treatment possess. The crystals represent the internal brilliance of these qualities shining through to the audience.
My goal was for this bra to be blindingly beautiful. I wanted to make a bra that would make every woman who has gone through breast cancer treatment feel special and comfortable in their “new skin.”
200 hours of meticulous detail work! What's going through your mind as your hands are busy creating this beautiful piece?
Beading is a release from my day to day work. There is something soothing about working with ones’ hands and indulging one’s’ creative side. I enjoy working on projects to help others, such as making jewelry for family, friends, and patients.
This bra is dedicated to all my patients with breast cancer or who have had a history of breast cancer. Not only is the donation of the bra meant to help BCRC, but it is my way of letting those women know that I recognize the difficult journey they go through during cancer treatment, and that I am here to support them through the process.
Describe your sense of satisfaction at completing it?
I have been working on this piece for about 2 years. With all projects, there were road blocks and alterations in the plan. I spent so much time designing it, and then taking it apart. I wanted it to be perfect. It has truly been a journey, but seeing my vision realized is a great feeling.
Why is this event, and the work of BCRC, so worthy of your effort in this art bra piece, and of support from the community?
BCRC is a wonderful organization that provides support to women struggling through a difficult time in their lives. Its patient navigators and support groups inform, guide, and empower women to push forward in their journey. I wanted to make a bra to show my support of this organization.
In addition, I love the Art Bra event because it helps to empower women to feel comfortable in their “new skin.” It allows them to radiate their strength, courage, and beauty on stage. I am always in awe of these women, and I wanted to allow a breast cancer survivor to find her courage as she wears my bra on stage in front of hundreds of people.