…The making of the prints…a few examples
This exhibition features hand-made Van Dyke photographs highlighting ten individuals in the Upstate living with Sickle Cell Disease. Through these portraits, my goal is to bring awareness and visibility to the disease, while encouraging research, advocacy, and community support.
I dedicate this work to my younger sister, Rhonda Graham, who passed away from Sickle Cell Disease in 2008 at the age of 20.
My journey as a photographer began at 15, when my father purchased a photography studio in downtown Kingston, Jamaica. By 17, I was enrolled in art college, formally studying photography while also training in professional makeup to create a full portrait experience for my clients. My sister Rhonda became my first muse—she would happily let me dress her up in feathers, glitter, and oversized hats, and together we shared endless laughter in front of the camera.
When Rhonda lost her battle with Sickle Cell Disease, my world shifted. Though I am now a mother of two and living in Greenville, SC, her absence is still deeply felt. Yet, her memory continues to guide me.
For many years, I searched for a way to honor Rhonda’s life. In 2018, I came across an article in the Greenville News about the newly formed Greenville Sickle Cell Advisory Board—community leaders such as Councilwoman Lillian Brock Fleming and Dr. Alan Anderson (Pediatric Hematology-Oncology) working to expand awareness and improve care for patients. Their efforts resonated with me and inspired me to finally move forward with this project.
Statistics reveal the urgency of this work. According to a 2013 Johns Hopkins School of Medicine study, the life expectancy of adults with Sickle Cell Disease has declined significantly—from 42 years for men and 48 years for women in 1994, to 38 and 42 years respectively by 2005. Researchers believe this decrease reflects a lack of access to high-quality care for adults with SCD.
Through photography and short video stories, I hope to not only share the challenges faced by those living with Sickle Cell Disease but also to illuminate their strength, beauty, and resilience.
This exhibition is both a tribute to Rhonda and a call to the community: to see, to listen, and to advocate for change.
Photos of participants used are shown below.
Artist in Southern Vermont 