For those who haven't heard of her, Californian-born Tutu is a
performance artist who has been known on the London queer
underground cabaret scene since long before underground cabaret
became trendy.
She is famous for the outrageous clubs she ran in the 1990s in
Soho, including Monster. She was famously performing her notorious
club act of putting out birthday cake candles with her naked butt
in Heaven when the table collapsed and she broke her leg in 18
places. In 2009, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, there
was no reason why she was going to submit to the mainstream take on
the disease.
Working with her friend, the photographer Ashley Savage, known for
his work with more deviant forms of beauty, the pair have created
an amazing series of photos in exhibition form. They chart various
stages of Tutu's cancer 'battle': from having her hair shaved
pre-chemo by her band of dyke buddies, dressed as a Valerie post
mastectomy on the radiation table, kissing her girlfriend's
(perfectly formed) breasts, stoned and joking with her cat, in
despair in post-chemo exhaustion.
The photos can be viewed here: savageskin.co.uk
(NB: This site contains artistic nudity, so
should only be accessed by those 18 years of age or
over.)
Tutu is much loved and her friends aren't sure how much longer she
has. She is determined to make a change in how women are supposed
to deal with cancer. At the moment that is in a pink and pretty way
and not all women feel pink and pretty. Punk cancer is "a more
visceral, disrespectful and daring way of dealing with cancer".
Why not show your support for Tutu's struggle and for all women
with breast cancer by wearing a t-shirt boldly showing a triumphant
woman with one breast. Check out the t-shirts at
earlofbedlam.bigcartel.com where you can also make a purchase
if you wish!
PHOTO: Ashley Savage at www.savageskin.co.uk
