Diane Victor (b. 1964, Witbank, South Africa)

Shadow Boxer

2015, charcoal and pastel on paper, 151 x 128cm.

Photo by Diane Victor. Courtesy of the artist. ©Diane Victor.

IIn this drawing, a woman, who strongly resembles Diane Victor, is boxing a shadowy figure. Shadow boxing is a practice where the boxer punches the air. Here we seem to be looking at Victor fighting back against polycystic kidney disease, which she has had for many years. The drawing was made soon after a kidney transplant had given. her a new lease on life.

READ ABOUT THE BACKGROUND HERE…

In 2013, Diane Victor was told she was about to die. She had known for a while that she had flpolycystic kidney disease, and now her kidneys were failing. She was placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, which could take years to happen. Thankfully, she was able to receive a successful kidney transplant, and, as is evident in the label, continues to produce art!