Role of the artist in the laboratory/ hospital

As witness and visual reporter  

Throat cancer and its off-target side effects of radiotherapy and surgical treatment is the reason Dr. Elaine Emmerson and her team at The MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) work towards finding ways to regenerate the salivary glands. Life with little or no saliva is devastating for patients and survivors of throat cancer. 

You might be wondering what art or artists have to do with any of this.

I used to say that if I was to have a super power it would be that I could stop time so I could draw anything, anytime, anywhere. Life moves so fast and sometimes walls, both physical and emotional, are so thick that what is beyond can be difficult to access. As an artist, however, I have learned that it is possible to identify walls and indeed make them transparent though drawing, by firstly seeking consent, secondly being brave enough to just draw and most importantly (in my opinion) to share. 

My sketchbook is with me all of the time: it may as well be surgically attached. I will carry it with me through this whole experience and should you encounter me in person and wish to see inside I will always say yes. The purpose of this blog is for you to have an open view right beside me as I see what I see. Together we will observe from both a critical distance and an intimate closeness, all of the planets/micro environments that revolve around the salivary gland; Planet Patient, Planet Pathology, Planet Surgery, Planet Oncology, Planet Science and last but not least, Planet Art. 

Neck Lump Clinic chair with Osiris floating in space, Lauriston Building, EdinburghThe drawing I’ve chosen this week is from inside the Neck Lump Clinic in the Lauriston Building, Edinburgh. This might arguably be the beginning of the journey for Osiris the salivary gland specimen, siting in this chair as our ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) surgeon examines the patient for the first time. This chair, drawn unoccupied could be filled by you, by me, or indeed by someone that we love. 

On this one particular day I witnessed 13 people occupy the same chair in the center of the room. Each individual presenting themselves with a lump of some sort to be examined and tested further with ultrasound and biopsy if the need presented. All the while, Osiris our salivary gland, swiveled patiently in the chair wondering what might lie ahead. In most cases the outcome was very positive but for some not so good: cancer was present. The next stage being further tests and a treatment plan devised by a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

As an artist in this space and the spaces to come, I am acutely aware of what a privilege it is to bear witness to this vulnerability. 

Join me, the artist, as I witness, read and translate this journey with curiosity, care and openness. 

Thank you for reading.

Emily 

You can contact/find me at:

emilyfongstudio@gmail.com

@emilyfongstudio 

• To discover more about Dr Elaine Emmerson’s research you can visit  http://crm.ed.ac.uk/research/group/manipulating-stem-cell-niche-promote-regeneration

• For support or more information about head and neck cancer, or to make a donation, you can visit the Throat Cancer Foundation website at https://www.throatcancerfoundation.org

• To get hands on and creative with the tools of science, you can drop into an open session at the ASCUS Lab at Summerhall in Edinburgh, Scotland’s publically accessible laboratory. You can find out about their many courses and opportunities here http://www.ascus.org.uk

• For insight into human pathology and physiology, you can visit Surgeons’ Hall Museums  https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk