I am fascinated by the human body, the person within and the skin which mediates between us. Having worked with Riaz on a number of occasions I have watched as the Ankylosing Spondylitis has progressed. Although it is a systematic rheumatic disease, it mostly manifests itself by the vertebrae starting to fuse together.

Despite periods of pain, accompanied by weight loss and fatigue, Riaz forces his body through extremes of flexibility. Here he is adopting a position which might initially be interpreted as submissive, but is actually the opposite. He is forcing the extension of the spine and protrusion of the lower vertebrae.

 

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