2010 Visual Arts Outstanding Entry

Viana Stern

Mum's Pathology Report
(Paper, permanent marker and graphic markers 21 x 29.7cm) 

Artist's Statement

This piece is a portrayal of my mother's recent encounter with advanced ovarian cancer. I included her pathology report as background due to its extreme relevance to her condition. Reading this report I was struck by its clinical nature-it was devoid of emotion. This is why I attempted to humanise an otherwise sterile and factual document. Inspired by my mother's positive attitude throughout the ordeal, I chose a pleasant pastel colour scheme to represent this. The strong black lines used symbolise her courage and will to live. 

Judge's Comments

I chose this work for despite its modest scale it speaks very clearly about the experience of being a cancer patient, and of watching a loved one go through this experience.

Consisting of a simply sketched image of the artist's mother undergoing treatment which has been drawn underneath her pathology report, the work immediately takes us into the unfamiliar and often frightening world of hospitals and medical procedures, of anxiously waiting for news, and of feeling lost and unsure. The words and drawing present two very different views of the same person, one clinical and impersonal, the other drawn with love and concern.

Judge: Elena Taylor

Back to top

Email this page   Print friendly