Breast Reduction Surgery

Kia ora,

I am a researcher at the University of Otago (https://www.otago.ac.nz/anthropology/staff/otago636914.html). I have been studying medical crowdfunding. I have mostly been exploring this topic through interviews and case studies, but as I have an interest in creative writing and visual art, I also use this as a way to explore the topic.

I am writing to ask permission to use the surgical/heart photo from this campaign, in a stained glass art project I am working on. If you gave permission, I would paint a black & white version of the photo onto a piece of glass the size of a smartphone. This would be displayed alongside aprox 12 other images on the same size piece of glass. Accompanying this would be some quotes from participants in my research, and a general explanation about the topic of medical crowdfunding.

The goal of the exhibit is to get people to think about empathy, care and charity… how they respond (or not) to people telling their stories and asking for help online. Including the variety of different types of health needs that people have.

At this stage I plan to show the artwork as part of a presentation at a conference in Seattle, and another in Wellington, in November. I may also show it at other academic conferences, and/or a small exhibition as part of Dunedin’s Fringe Festival in 2023. Images of the artwork I produce will potentially also be published as part of academic articles or essays.

If you do decide to give permission, you could chose either for the image to be presented anonymously, or to have your name included, in which case I will put it in the acknowledgements whenever I show the art piece.

As a thank you, I would send you a small gift voucher.

Thanks so much for your time and consideration. You can contact me via this email address: susan.wardell@otago.ac.nz

Wishing you well, noho ora mai

Susan