Still Myself

Midori Tajiri

This body of work evolved from Midori's recent experience with colon cancer and her reflections on the experiences of loved ones around her who have breast cancer and lung cancer. Coping with cancer is a difficult journey for both the patient and those around them. To create her artwork, Midori layers images - both drawn and photographed, using computer graphics and decoupage. Further layers are woven with hand-sewn stitches and translucent layers of paint. Midori notes, "These works attempt to show how this journey invokes the growth of the soul as well as the positive impact we continue to have on the world around us while we are alive and when we become a memory."

Midori Tajiri graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where her parents also attended, and studied graphic arts, photography, sculpture, painting and drawing. The Tajiri family also includes Shinkichi Tajiri (Sculptor), Rea Tajiri (Filmmaker), Vince Tajiri (Photographer), Giotta Tajiri (Painter/Sculptor), and Ryu Tajiri (Graphic Artist). Midori grew up and currently resides in Chicago and has lived in Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico, Ireland, and Amsterdam and has traveled across America and throughout Europe. Her experiences living in these many locations as well as her careers in art, dance, music and modeling continue to shape her world and art.

Still Myself

8 x 10"

Mixed Media

Waiting Room

8 x 10"

Mixed Media

Cultivate Dreams

8 x 10"

Mixed Media

GILDA'S CLUB CHICAGO opened its signature red door in 1998. The non-profit organization provides a warm and welcoming meeting place where men, women and children with cancer, and their family and friends, can join with others to build social and emotional support as an essential supplement to medical care. Membership and program are free of charge. They offer support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events in our warm, home-like clubhouse.

Gilda's Club Chicago is a support community for men, women and children living with cancer, and their families and friends. They offer a place where members can join together to give and receive the benefits of our unique program. At Gilda's Club they believe:

* Our members living with cancer are the experts - and we listen and learn from them
* As experts, our members offer each other support while learning how best to live with cancer
* Cancer happens to the entire family and its social network, so club membership is extended to include all who are impacted by cancer. Each member develops a Customized Membership Plan to meet their needs. All are welcome.

Gilda Radner is best known as an original cast member of Saturday Night Live. As one of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" she created lovable characters like Rosanne Rosannadanna, Emily Litella and Lisa Loopner.

Gilda's astonishing career was cut short when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986. Joanna Bull, Gilda's cancer psychotherapist, introduced her to cancer support groups. Recognizing how integral the support experience was to her treatment, Gilda's dream was to develop a community where anyone with cancer would receive the kind of support she had found. In her best-selling book It's Always Something, Gilda wrote about experiences living with cancer. She spoke of establishing such a support community in New York when she felt better and said, "There should be a thousand of them."

Gilda's ovarian cancer was diagnosed too late for effective treatment and she died in 1989. Following her death, Gilda's husband, actor and comedian Gene Wilder, Joanna Bull and many of Gilda's friends founded Gilda's Club in her memory. The first Club with its signature red door opened in New York City in June 1995. Under the guidance of Gilda's Club Worldwide, there are 13 affiliate Clubs open in North America and 14 Clubs currently in development.

For more information on Gilda's Club Chicago, please go to their website at www.gildasclubchicago.org

Founded in 1991, Anatomically Correct is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to showcasing works by artists in alternative spaces in a combined effort to educate, diversify, and promote community awareness of the visual and performing arts.