Through The Mouth

Through the Mouth depicts a rare vertebroplasty that Joyce underwent following her Stage IV diagnosis. Scans revealed that part of Joyce’s C2 vertebrae had been dangerously eroded by the cancer.

A vertebroplasty – a procedure normally used for severe osteoarthritis, where bone cement is injected into a damaged vertebrate to ensure it doesn’t collapse – was soon scheduled. But due to the location of the vertebrate high in Joyce’s neck, her surgical team made the unorthodox decision to attempt the procedure by entering through the mouth. The procedure was so complex that it required eight different specialists to oversee it. Thankfully, it went off without a hitch on January 25th, 2007 – the day after Joyce’s 56th birthday. She credited the operation as “life-saving” as the alternative options to the surgery would have been painful and changed her quality of life for the worse. The rarity of the procedure had the added effect of turning Joyce into a celebrity among her doctors.

Through the Mouth makes use of plastic medical models to create the skeletal snake.

While the idea of representing the surgery as a serpentine creature was literally inspired by the minor curve in Joyce’s spine, the piece takes on the snake’s broader cultural connotations with shedding one’s skin and rebirth.

Contributing Artist: Melanie Leandro
Materials: Medical models, paint, acrylic dowels, biopsy needle

Melanie Leandro refines her personal style in various mixed media through the exploration of the natural world, societies and cultures. The idea of ritual and worship drives much of her aesthetic. Raised in Miami, she attended the Pratt Institute and later received a degree at Tom Savini Special Makeup Effects Program. While most of her professional work is in fabrication and special makeup effects for music videos, narrative films, commercials and personal projects, Melanie continues to paint, draw, sculpt and design in her free time.

Website: melanieleandro.com
Instagram: @melanieleandro.co