Cancer Tapestry ​
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Cancer tapestry tour 2024/25
So far
All involve a selection or combinations of exhibition of panels, paintings, documentary, workshop and talk
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22 March 2025, Launch of Mexican panel, Ted talk, Ajijic, Mexico
12 Nov - 31 December, One panel displayed, part of The Scottish Tapestry Trail Exhibition
Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels
4 November, CANDU Lived Experience Conference, V&A Dundee
21st October - 24 October, Dunblane Cathedral
29th August - 28 September, Aberdeen Central Library (displayed from 23 August)
22 August, Healing Arts Week, Aberdeen Arts Centre, (part of Edinburgh International Festival)
21 August, Healing Arts Week, Cornerstone Centre, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh (part of Edinburgh International Festival)
July 24th - 28th Dukes of West Barn (fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research)
May 24 New Lanark Mills launch of completed Dunblane panel
March 24 Dundee V&A Launch of completed Dundee Panel
Feb 24 Cornerstone Centre, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh (Launch)
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More dates to be announced
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Documentary
Jon Gill's documentary "A Good Thing To Do"
https://youtu.be/6dbXmUh-Leo?si=1rzm86wKqj0Dnpha
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Awards and articles about Cancer Tapestry
Jon Gill's documentary "A Good Thing To Do" won a Mobile Motion Award 2024
The film was supported by Macmillan Cancer Support.
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Article in The Lancet
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The idea and aim
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The aim is to create a Cancer Tapestry that will show a 1000 stories of cancer. To show not only science behind cancer care and the process most cancer patients receive, but the human side of cancer treatment. The compassion and caring that comes not only from doctors, nurses and staff, but from family, friends and community.
During the Covid lockdown Heather Swinson completed the first panel, which was presented to the Scottish Health Secretary Jean Freeman to put in the final stitch. This panel tells many stories and has involved many people including doctors, nurses, etc. Jo Allen Heather's daughter made a beautiful film to tell its story. At present there are 15 panels up and running and I have completed three paintings based on my experience. We have panels in Walton on Thames, Glasgow, Dundee, Dunblane, East Lothian, Saltoun, Cockenzie, Macmillan Cancer Support, Dunbar, Aberdeen and Leeds. Two panels being designed by a Junior Doctor. And hoping to expand to create a MacMillan Cancer Support Panel. It is hoped to further expand the project gathering more stories about cancer.
​​The Panels so far
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Human cells
Human cells are the basic units that make up the human body. We each contain trillions of human cells.
Around each panel is a series of circles, these are based on the image of a human cell.
Each cell contains a story of what it means to have Cancer. Each Cell is telling a unique and moving story.
The aim of the tapestry is to share these stories of cancer. What does it mean to have cancer?
To tell the impact cancer can have on individuals, families and communities.
The aim of the tapestry is to gather 1000 stories.
Panel 1 introduction
This panel introduces the main themes of The Cancer Tapestry, which are Caring, Science and Compassion.
The image of person losing their hair through cancer treatment.
Stitched by Heather Swinson from Eskbank, Scotland and over 100 contribution.
Panel 2 Caring
Introduction to main theme of Caring
The image of a mother hugging her daughter to show caring
Stitched by group from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England
Panel 3 Science
To introduce the main of the tapestry themes of showing the science. To visually show treatments of chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, surgery, etc.
Stitched by a group from Dundee, Scotland.
Panel 4 Compassion (nearly completed)
To introduce the main theme of Compassion. To show that to help those who are suffering from Cancer compassion is an important part of healing.​
Panel 5 story panel: Andrew Crummy
Andrew Crummy’s story, the designer of the tapestry.
This family panel tells not only Andrew’s story but others in his family and friends.
The image is how Andrew felt after being told of the plan of his treatment by his oncologist.
Stitched by partner Carmel Daly, family and friends, Cockenzie East Lothian
Panel 6 Story Panel : Saltoun Group
A group of teachers from Saltoun Primary School tell stories of cancer.
Saltoun, East Lothian, Scotland
Panel 7 Story Panel: Dunblane Group
A group of stitchers from Dunblane Scotland tell their stories of Cancer.
Dunblane, Scotland
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Panel 8 Mexican panel: Onco y Vita Group
A group of stitchers from Guadalajara, Mexico complete a panel. telling their story. Stitched in a traditional Mexican style of embroidery that predates Hispanic. Using materials that represents this tradition.
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Panel 9/10 MacMillan Cancer Support Panel (nearly completed)
This double panel aims to tell 100 stories of Cancer.
Others panel ongoing including stories from Macmillan Cancer Support, North East Wales, Dundee (Candu), Dunbar, East Lothian, Leeds, Aberdeen and a Junior doctor so far.
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If you wish to start a new panel please contact me.
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NOTES from those involved
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"In 2017 Edinburgh artist Andrew Crummy was diagnosed with throat cancer. He vowed that if he survived he would tell the story of cancer by bringing people together to create something potentially bigger and more globally significant than his other great work, The Great Tapestry of Scotland.
When an old art college friend heard about it she offered to donate yarn for use in the project as she had recently lost her sister in law, a talented machine knitter to brain cancer. This led to her taking on a panel to be created in Dundee. She called on her friends to help to stitch and design the 24 small circles surrounding Andrew’s main image. Science was It’s title and there was much discussion about the content which combines some scientific references but mainly personal tributes celebrating survivors and remembering those who sadly lost their lives to cancer including Alasdair (Breeks) Brodie.
Over the weekend 6 tapestries and Andrew’s initial artwork will be displayed along with Jon Gill’s film,supported by Macmillan Cancer Support whichchronicles the inception of the idea and what it means to those who have taken part so far... most of whom live with cancer or have someone very close to them who has.
There will also be workshops where visitors can add a stitch or two to the “Compassion” panel, seeing the developing Dunblane Panel and can take a kit to stitch their own individual circle which will be used to create a MacMillan Cancer Support panel."
Mairi Fraser
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Background to the story from Andrew Crummy
" In 2017 I went through treatment for throat cancer. Through this experience I began speaking to Rod Mountain, an ENT surgeon from Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. Rod had heard through a mutual friend Fraser MacLean that I had designed The Great Tapestry of Scotland. Rod phoned me while I was in hospital getting chemotherapy treatment, suggesting when I get better I should think about doing a Cancer Tapestry. While at the same time, my oncologist Dr Ioanna Nixon noticed I was sketching in the hospital and encouraged me to keep drawing. After my treatment Ioanna, who was then working at The Beatson in Glasgow, and Rod began the journey with me to create a Cancer Tapestry, later joined by Gillian Hart. Over the coming years several panels have been created. And recently MacMillan Cancer Support supported the creation of a documentary by Jon Gill and this event.
As a designer and community artist I felt I could give something back to The NHS and the amazing treatment I received. Getting The Cancer Tapestry up and running has been a real privilege, in particular the many moving stories that are shared and stitched."
Rod Mountain adds to this story
" Andrew's story is personal, but not unique. It speaks a universal human truth. Directly or indirectly, we are all affected by the physical, emotional and social consequences of cancers that none of us can avoid. The Cancer Tapestry project offers help and hope, and brings humanity together stitch by stitch, story by story, panel by panel. Would it not be amazing if every human being could add a stitch or two! "
From Dr Ioanna Nixon
“The Cancer Tapestry is a novel art project enabling anyone directly or indirectly affected by cancer to share their story. It is an honour being part of this movement from its infancy.
We are making huge progress with cancer therapies through research and clinical innovations. However, everyone’s cancer journey is unique and undoubtedly requires all the support they can have to make it easier. The Cancer Tapestry panels this journey combining hundreds of stories under many themes; from science to compassion. Hence, this movement is important for people to express themselves, share experience, learn, and talk about a disease way to common for us to keep quiet. Will you add a stitch? “
Jon Gill, documentary maker explains how he got involved
“As soon as I heard Andrew’s story I just had to tell it. And it became so much more than I could have imagined at the beginning. What’s remarkable is that until now the stories in Andrew’s tapestries have been geographical… whereas The Cancer Tapestry is universal."
From Eleanor Oglivie, MacMillan Cancer Support
“As soon as I heard about the Cancer Tapestry I was keen to work with Andrew to see how we might also extend this wonderful project to the people affected by cancer that Macmillan support. The creative way that people’s cancer experiences have been shared and the community spirit behind this work as a unique way to engage with people whose voice is often missing. It's such an important educational and community engagement method.”
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Notes for Healings Arts Festival 2024
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The Healing Arts Scotland Week
21 August, Cornerstone Centre, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh
Excited to announce that The Cancer Tapestry which will be part of Healing Arts Scotland 2024, which is led by Scottish Ballet
and the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.
We will be again partnering with Macmillan Cancer Support.
Showing panels completed and those in progress, the documentary and discussion session and progressing
The MacMillan Cancer panel, with circles and stories now coming in fast (more information to follow).
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The Healing Arts Scotland Week is supported by Scottish Ballet, Edinburgh International Festival.