“Kachimushi”
Roxana Tefel
Miami, FL
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: At 33 years old, my life was permanently split into two. There exists a me before cancer born in 1991, and a me born the day I was diagnosed in 2024. My friend Lisa gave me a really cool name for my second life, Roxy 2.0. I could tell you about everything I lost and fear but I really want you to know how much more amazing my life has become. I’ve gained friendships and experiences I would have never had! I took risks and let go of really old baggage. The connection with my family grew stronger. Being forced to look at death in the eyes helped me to fully integrate knowing that life is precious and limited. Author Sergio Jablon says that we survivors are part of the “privileged club” because we savor life more and that is true for me (like gratitude on steroids). I consider myself to be lucky because I get to live my second life, the one where I savor magical human life things like hugs, warmth, laughter, heartbreak, mistakes, and presence. My wish is that my perspective inspires you to live life when it’s great and not so great, with compassion for self and others, with the knowing that life can change or stop when it wants to.
Maya Farooq
@love.from.maya on Instagram
Gainesville, FL
“Kachimushi”
Ceramic
8” x 10” x 5”
$670
Artist Statement: From reclaiming old clay to the final creation of this sculpture, I set out to honor Roxana’s lived experience before, during, and after surviving breast cancer. Every stage of this process became an act of reflection and empathy. Her growth is expressed through fragile ceramic leaves, while the flowing, sculpted figures along the back of the piece reflects her emotional and physical transformation from her diagnosis with breast cancer to her double mastectomy, to her now a survivor. The fractures that emerged were intentionally repaired, inspired by the Japanese technique of kintsugi, allowing the breaks to remain visible and celebrated, just as healing does not erase pain, but gives it new meaning. As I worked, I felt deeply connected to Roxana’s story, carrying her resilience with me through each step of the making process. In Japanese culture, the dragonfly is known as kachimushi, meaning “victorious insect,” a sacred symbol of courage, strength, and resilience that was often placed on a warrior’s helmet as a reminder in battle. For Roxana, a baby dragonfly became a spiritual guide throughout her journey with breast cancer. I chose to place this symbol over the breast affected by cancer as a quiet yet powerful reminder that she was never alone, that even in her most vulnerable moments, she was guided, protected, and growing. This sculpture has become one of the most meaningful works I have ever created. Creating alongside the story of such a resilient human being reshaped my understanding of strength, healing, and survival. In Mayan tradition, the dragonfly is also a symbol of creativity and femininity. Learning this felt deeply significant. As an artist and facilitator of creative expression, I sought to embody Roxana’s evolving relationship with her femininity, one transformed by loss, endurance, and regrowth. Through this work, I honor not only her survival but the courage it takes to rebuild identity, beauty, and selfhood after cancer.