HOW ART HELPS OVERCOME CANCER & COPE WITH DISABILITY

Two Swindon Open Studios Exhibitors Share Their Stories

For centuries, creative pastimes have been recommended as therapy when people are recovering from grave illness, because being creative is so absorbing that it distracts the mind. Two local artists who tell their stories of how they found relief from physical suffering through creativity, are Adrian Dent and Toni Foot. Both are opening their studios to the public during the 20^th and 21^st September, (the first weekend only) as part of Swindon Open Studios. 

Adrian and Susan Dent run Bishopstone Pottery, Venue 56, just east of Swindon. In 2005, Adrian was diagnosed with mouth cancer and eventually recovered. However, in 2014, he developed head and neck cancer, meaning further major surgery and radiotherapy. During the 2020 Covid pandemic, the isolation of lockdown led them to join Grayson Perry’s Art Club. Together they created a conceptual piece of pottery using Adrian’s radiotherapy mask, featuring the dark despair of cancer and the isolation of Covid on one side and the joy of recovery, hope and survival on the other. The lighter side features images of the Wiltshire countryside with bright colours and well-known landmarks as the future opened up again,

Adrian and Susan Dent, photo by David Chalke

Unfortunately, a disastrous kiln accident meant the piece needed repair, so they used the Japanese “Kintsugi” technique where cracks are repaired with gold. It symbolises how something so broken can be mended and still be beautiful and precious! It was submitted for consideration for Grayson Perry’s Covid Art Club exhibition in Manchester, alongside work from Anthony Gormley (The Angel of the North). Adrian and Susan’s piece entitled ‘It’s not just time that heals’, beat over 10,000 entrants! Ironically, Grayson Perry got Covid, so they didn’t get to meet him in person at the Private View! Susan says “Covid, like cancer, is a journey. The road to recovery can be difficult. We need the support of family, friends and the NHS within a landscape that promotes healing. After all, it’s not just time that heals!”

Abstract artist Toni Foot (Venue 54) has neurological conditions and periodically she suffers from intense pain in her spine. One particular oil painting represents this pain, and she says “It feels like people’s hands are grabbing me. It’s a biological pain which moves.” It’s not all doom and gloom though. Toni uses the name “Positively Rainbows” as her moniker and much of her work is full of vibrant colours. She also writes powerful poetry that accompanies her paintings. She says “I have two types of work. The first is where I ‘work stuff through’ and the other is to escape from it all.” She adds “Sometimes things are planned carefully to pinpoint what I’m feeling. Other times, the emotions seem to hit the page running! When I let it go, I can trap the emotion on the page, so I don’t have to feel it so much. It’s a huge release!” 

Art by Toni Foot, photo by David Chalke

Exhibitors invite visitors to join the conversation to share what art means to them as observers, while artist’s share what self-expression does for them. As Swindon Open Studios venues are open on different days and at different times, visitors need to plan their route carefully. Check the brochure https://simplebooklet.com/sos25brochure1#page=1 NOTE: Artists in Wanborough and the East are ONLY open the FIRST weekend; 20^th and 21^st September. Entry is free of charge, and many places offer refreshments.