Creating Art from Cancer Experience

An exhibition of his work, called ‘Matthew’s Fantastic Journey’, is currently on display at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, 40-44 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast.  The exhibition runs until Tuesday 26th June.

 Matthew was diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2008.  He says, “Life took on a different pace – all of a sudden I was going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions.  I had to spend weeks in hospital only getting out for a weekend before starting my next session of treatment.

 “I was offered a bone marrow transplant and was very lucky that two family members were a match.   Although very painful, the transplant was successful, and I was able to start on the long, slow process of recovery.”

 While he was in hospital he was visited by Leo McGarry, a counsellor with Cancer Focus.  “Leo was a real lifeline. I was able to share things with him that I couldn’t speak about to my family and friends.

 “It was Leo who encouraged me to start drawing again.  I’d always enjoyed art but since I’d been ill, I’d lost interest in it.  Leo told me about the Art Therapy service that Cancer Focus provides but to be honest, I didn’t think it was my kind of thing.

 “I half-heartedly went along to one of the group sessions and slowly began to ease myself into drawing again.  The group was great – everyone had been affected by cancer so it felt like we were all in it together.  If I wasn’t able to go for a couple of weeks people would ask me how I was – there was real concern for my welfare. 

 “I started drawing my experiences of being ill, being in hospital and going through my treatment.  Other people have looked at them and said the images feel raw and very powerful.  But to me, it was just my life.

 “Some of my paintings are more abstract as I got really interested in examining blood cells under the microscope and I liked to try to replicate the patterns and shapes they represent.  I’ve used my imagination about how the cancer cells would look as I couldn’t bear to see them and think about the damage that they’d done to my body.

 “Making the sketches and producing the paintings has helped me to deal with what I’ve been through.  It’s been a tough journey, not just for me, but also my wife and daughter.

 “Putting on the exhibition is my way of saying thank you to Leo for the help and support that he gave me.  He helped to motivate me to pick up my sketch pad and gave me back my confidence again.”

 Joanne Robinson, Art Therapist, Cancer Focus, said, “We are thrilled that Matthew has decided to display his paintings and we hope lots of people will come along and support this unique event.

 “We know that cancer affects everyone differently.  It can make people feel that they have lost control; increase feelings of isolation and it can often reduce a person’s self-esteem.  However research has shown that creating art can have a positive impact - improving a patient’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.  For many cancer patients this can result in a better understanding of their illness and coming to terms with the disease and the future.

“You do not need to be artistic or have any experience in art to enjoy the benefits of art therapy.  Art therapy can help people communicate anxiety or stress.  In my experience many participants find the creative process relaxing and they can unwind while chatting to others who are in a similar situation.”

‘Matthew’s Fantastic Journey’ exhibition will be open Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm and admission is free.

 For more information about Art Therapy please contact joannerobinson@cancerfocusni.org