Philadelphia artist Terrence Gore believes the healing powers of art and nature have kept him alive, defying a doctor’s prognosis from 20 years ago that gave him only a month to live, writes Stephanie Stahl for CBS News Philadelphia.
Gore has cherished Bartram’s Garden, Southwest Philadelphia’s public garden, throughout his life. It is the place where he found much of the inspiration for his artwork, now on display inside the historic Bartram House.
“As a child, I always yearned to come into this house, but it was not accessible,” said Gore, who grew up next door at Bartram Village. “I saw this place as my own space, like I was the richest person.”
The beauty of nature has given him the strength to live with brain lesions and partial right-side paralysis resulting from HIV and AIDS. Although right-handed, he taught himself to paint with his left hand, also using materials he finds in the garden, including branches, grass, and seeds.
The exhibition title, Back to My Roots, reflects both his personal journey and his use of natural materials that are sourced directly from the garden.
Read more about Terrence Gore and how art has been able to help him heal at CBS News Philadelphia.
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