Swapping Bikes for Cameras (ICD)

In her “Heart Heroes” series Charlie Kirkham portrays people living with implanted cardiac devices such as pacemakers and ICDs. Many are young patients who are navigating heart conditions alongside navigating adulthood.  These sensitive portraits trace journeys through different stages of heart conditions, including life after transplantation. They reveal unexpected truths, how someone may shift from being a “heart patient” to managing immunosuppression post transplant. Her second portrait Swapping Bikes for Cameras is of a former competitive cyclist adapting to life with a pacemaker, one cycling-short brace is lowered to avoid pressure on the device. It reflects the sense of life before and after complete heart block. In this case cycling was restricted and the model discovered photography, using creativity to navigate a new lifestyle. 

Key Details:

- Original oil on museum-grade wooden panel (Artist Surfaces)
- Panel is ready to hang — prepped for D-rings or mirror plates  
- D-rings or mirror plates can be supplied with the painting (please specify your preference when ordering)