Topic of Cancer

Whether The Storm? and Topic Of Cancer are two works, separated by sixteen years, but with a seemingly sinister and intuitive link.

“In 1982, the earlier work came to life as an expression of a general fear of mortality. It portrays an exposed breast, stripped of its external flesh, set in a threatening landscape. At the time, there was no consciously intended reference to a particular disease. It was simply a study of the body in its conflicting dilemma of beauty and strength, horror and fragility.”

“In 1995, the experience of breast cancer made real the true terrors of a life-threatening illness, exposing a raw and indiscriminate violence that inspired a less literal or narrative work.”

“Cancer lends itself to military metaphor, both in its nature (Battle, Attack, Territory) and in its treatment (Search and Destroy).”

“The crab portrays the illness as an internal, and infernal, chaotic transgression. It becomes a celestial abomination, spiralling through nature, devoid of conscience.”

“The vibrant colours reflect my own hallucinatory experiences during treatment and the firework-like motion charts the poisonous cycle of the chemotherapy as it simultaneously destroys and heals.”