ArtPrize link for "IMAGE"
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"IMAGE" | Artprize 2013

Thank you for visiting! I am Bethany Sanderson and this is my story.

When my 15 year old, unwed mother discovered she was pregnant, she sought out a secret abortion in an out-of-town hospital. The head nurse at this hospital, a Christian and a new friend of my future adoptive parents, had been “on the look out” for an unwanted baby. This Indian nurse convinced my birth mother's family to send her to a protected ministry home until the birth. However, in a culture that pressured women to reject “unwanted” pregnancies, she was desperate to get rid of the baby. She attempted, and failed, multiple times but God preserved my life. It is impossible to look at my life and not see the Lord's provision. In many instances people meant things to harm me but the Lord meant them for good. The Lord allowed me to be born and adopted twice - physically then spiritually. He had every day ordained for me before one even came to be.

I graduated high school from Algoma Christian ('06) and Spring Arbor University ('10) where I studied Communications and Film Production. Directly after college I spent time working and studying film production in California. After which I came back to my hometown, Grand Rapids, MI and currently work for R.B.C. Ministries (Radio Bible Class). In my spare time, I coach basketball, mentor and am involved with ministry at my home church. 

First photograph my adoptive parents received.

Legal adoption in the United States by Richard and Susan Sanderson.

“IMAGE” brings my story to life in celebrating pregnancy and birth. It is a series of sequential photographs of mother and child before and after birth to emphasize that children are knit together in their mothers’ wombs (Ps. 139) and made in the IMAGE of God (Gen 1:27). It is displayed as a lenticular, emphasizing the before and after of pregnancy. As you walk by it, you will be able to see and feel the change. As this is the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and abortion is becoming so normalized, I believe, God through my story gave me a real heart to have a voice for unborn children. Whether one week or full term, a child in the womb is a human being and should be treated as an IMAGE bearer of God.

Video of "Image"

18 months ago, I took some photographs of my sister-in-law and newborn nephew, which unbeknownst to me, the Lord was using as a starting block for "IMAGE". 17 women participated in making it possible. I knew all but two of the women prior to beginning this piece and each were more than willing to participate as they also value the sanctity of life. 

Psalm 139:13-16

"For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be."