I Cut Off My... Voice: An Autoethnography of an Artist and Art Educator with a BRCA Genetic Mutation
Date of Award
8-2018
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts - Art
Department
Art
First Advisor
Dr. William Nieberding
Second Advisor
Dr. Cala Coats
Third Advisor
Dr. Heather Olson-Beal
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Jill Carrington
Abstract
The effects of BRCA genetic mutations on artists and art educators had not been known. Autoethnography is a qualitative method for writing about personal experiences through a cultural lens. I used my personal experiences within a BRCA positive community to understand shared experiences among artists and art educators with this genetic mutation. This study aimed to explore the commonalities that are occurring within this subgroup. Anxiety and emotional stress played a role in most of the respondents‟ lives, affecting them in numerous ways. Most of the respondents underwent salpingectomy, oophorectomy, and mastectomy surgeries which led to further emotional and physical stressors. All respondents voiced that they were determined to take control over their lives, whether that was through surgeries or continued preventative testing. The arts can empower many with a BRCA genetic mutation to share their stories and let their voices be heard.
Keywords: autoethnography, BRCA, genetic mutation, artist, art educator, salpingectomy, oophorectomy, mastectomy, emotional, physical, empowerment, art.
Repository Citation
Hornbaker, Nicki Lynn, "I Cut Off My... Voice: An Autoethnography of an Artist and Art Educator with a BRCA Genetic Mutation" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 203.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/203
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
