The impact of a cancer diagnosis and the reality of living with the illness has been highlighted in a new exhibition in Belfast.
The ‘Cancer: Through Our Eyes’ display shared the personal stories of people in Northern Ireland who have been affected by cancer.
It offered people affected by the illness a creative space to express what a cancer diagnosis meant to them, as well as aiming to start conversations about how they can be better supported in the future.
The exhibition at The MAC Belfast showcased their cancer stories and experiences through a variety of creative artwork, from interpretive dance and digital pieces to painting and poetry, crochet and woodwork.
Some artworks included crochet scenes displaying the different stages of a cancer journey, textile journals and ‘breast casts’ and a quilt with inspiring quotes sewn in.
The project was organised by Macmillan Cancer Support, along with 13 community groups across the north, and coincided with World Cancer Day on Sunday.
Eimear Hagan from Macmillan said: “Cancer is so personal. It can impact people’s lives in a variety of ways.
“Relationships, their bodies, their finances, how they are feeling, their ability to do the things they love and so much more.
“We’re proudly sponsoring this exhibition to create a space for people affected by cancer to explore and express their own personal experiences and it’s been absolutely amazing to see it all come together, just so incredibly imaginative, inspiring and moving.”
Omagh-based Care for Cancer created decorative wooden boxes, symbolising their individual experiences of being diagnosed and treated for various forms of cancer.
They adorned the outside of their boxes with abstract prints and decorative collages.
Anita Marlow from Care for Cancer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, said: “Each box is a representation of ourselves, a way of showing that often what is on the outside does not always match what is inside.
“It is a way of exploring what we choose to reveal and/or conceal to others about us and our experience of cancer.”
She added: “What we chose to include inside the box was highly personal for each person, and it was often challenging to revisit and expose emotions brought up by this process”.
“I found the whole process incredibly cathartic and therapeutic, and I am so grateful to have been involved in this project with this amazing group of ladies.”
