This famous photo is called The Sun Baker and was taken by well known Australian photographer Max Dupain in 1937 at a beach not too far from here I live.
This similar pose was taken about 1990 and the photo was taken by Anne Zahalka and belong to the Art Gallery of N.S.W collection. I am showing these photos as a dreadful warning especially to the young boy with pale skin and red hair. I hope he put a shirt and hat on and went straight home after this pose.
This is a photo of Mr Linens aged about 19 long before his face and body became scarred from skin cancer and melanoma. Sadly Mr Linens died on 2nd February of squamous cell carcinoma. I wrote on this blog 3 years ago about his operation and radio therapy treatment but the cancer spread and nothing could be done. His brother died 20 years ago of melanoma. Growing up shirtless, shoeless and hatless under the Australian sun killed them both.
I don't like the first two photos, I don't want to see anyone on the beach trying to get a sun tan, IT Will Kill You.
Having got that message off my chest I will now grieve in private and my blog will return to happier things.
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I never "baked" in the sun ! You also get brown under a tree or umbrella ! And I always wear something to protect my head. These sunbath beds in Beauty salons, will be forbidden and that's good !
ReplyDeleteI hope people heed your warning. Mr Linens was a very handsome young man. May your blog turn to happier things when you are ready. Don't rush it.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first came to Canada my parents didn't realize how strong the sun can be here in the summer. As a result, me with my pale white Irish skin was burnt so badly I had sunstroke and blisters all over my back. I have always avoided the sun big time and nag my family about over exposure to it.
ReplyDeleteLovely Mr Linens, love and miss you xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteA very salutory warning. I'm sorry about Mr Linens. That's sad for you. x
ReplyDeleteThat is so true isn't it? Long gone should be the ways of the sun worshipers. Cover up and slap on the sunscreen!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy March!
xo Catherine
A very profound post, Sylvia; I assume you knew this Mr Linens personally? It's a wonder I haven't succumbed to skin cancer; when I was a teenager I spent a lot of time down the beach with family and friends as we weren't far from the beach. I used to ride a motorcycle down there wearing nothing more than a bikini, thongs and crash helmet. I was lucky that the worst thing that ever happened was that I got badly sunburned! Every time this story comes up Ken shakes his head in disgust.
ReplyDeleteA sad story about Mr L. I can understand your warnings to others unfortunately many don't heed the warnings. My brother died from melanoma too.
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