Eleanor Gorman, Miraculous Survival

October 14 – November 8, 2023
Opening artist reception from 4 – 7 p.m on October 14th
Artist talk at 3pm on October 14th

LightBox Photographic Gallery
1045 Marine Drive
Astoria, OR 97103
503.468.0238
info@lightbox-photographic.com

LightBox Photographic Gallery opens Eleanor Gorman’s exhibit, Miraculous Survival on Saturday, October 14th with an opening artist reception from 4 – 7 p.m. Eleanor will give and artists talk at 3pm before the opening, please reserve a seat by contacting michael at michael@lightbox-photographic.com

What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ~ Mary Oliver

Prior to February 2020 I gave little thought to my mortality. After all, I was healthy and I was just like my father, who lived a good life to age 96.

On the evening of February 28, 2020, after cutting my finger while preparing dinner, I began a year long struggle to survive and recover from a near fatal Staph MRSA bacterial infection. I was eventually given no better than a 10% chance of survival.

After collapsing at home and being brought to emergency, doctors searched for a treatment for the antibiotic resistant infection as it continued to rage. It had entered my bloodstream and overtook my entire body. This would eventually result in open heart surgery mitral valve replacement, stroke, kidney dialysis and other surgeries. I could not walk or speak and have little memory of these events.

During the months of my recovery memories of the Oregon Coast filled my mind and I dreamed of once again walking the beach. Over the past three years my daughters Caroline and Cathy have shared the story of my illness and survival with me. These images are a collaboration with them. I’ve combined my own photos captured on my many visits to the Oregon Coast with photographs taken by my daughters during my illness.
I would not have survived without the love and fierce support of my beautiful family.

The exhibit runs from October 14 through November 8, 2023. Complete show info is on the LightBox website at http://lightbox-photographic.com/shows/. Contact LightBox at 503-468-0238 or info@lightboxphotographic.com. LightBox is located at 1045 Marine Drive in Astoria, hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 12 – 5:00pm.