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Painting titled "Loss" by artist and cancer patient Michele Angelo Petrone (1963-2007). Two figures are depicted: one sits on the floor using scissors to cut the hair of the second figure which is lying down.



"I moved from diagnosis to treatment. Delilah cut Samson's hair and sapped his strength. My doctors didn't need to cut my hair: the chemotherapy just made it fall out, and my strength just fell out too. Was it just my hair they cut off or was I castrated as well? The chemotherapy took my fertility away. OK, so I don't want any children just now - but I might do in time. Will the few drops of frozen sperm really be enough to produce a family? The journey of illness is not only about the physical illness but also the emotional response. My doctor is attempting to cure me, but who is going to help me deal with the emotional aftermath, to try and heal that side of me, and heal all of me? It's not easy, but counselling offers a space, a place, some time and a face, a person to listen to me. Someone who will not be frightened by me and help me heal emotionally."



This painting forms part of a series of work "The emotional cancer journey", which explores the emotions and feelings the artist experienced during his cancer journey. Michele was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1994. He founded the MAP foundation in 2002 to promote expression, communication and understanding of serious illness and dying.

Loss, emotional cancer journey, artwork

Painting titled "The healing touch" by artist and cancer patient Michele Angelo Petrone (1963-2007). Two figures are depicted: one kneels on the floor with an outstretched arm touching the face of the second figure which is seated.



"I need to know that this body is my body. And I need to know everything that is happening to my body. But most of all I need to know that you know that within my body there is me.



Healing is brought about not just by medicine. It's not just treatment which cures you, but all that encompasses the human touch. A smile means more than an antibiotic injection, a hug means more than a platelet transfusion. The face - of my friends, my family, my nurses and - yes - even my doctors, shows sympathy, compassion and understanding. This human face contributes so much to healing of the tortured soul."



This painting forms part of a series of work "The emotional cancer journey", which explores the emotions and feelings the artist experienced during his cancer journey. Michele was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1994. He founded the MAP foundation in 2002 to promote expression, communication and understanding of serious illness and dying.

The healing touch, emotional cancer journey, artwork

Painting titled "The maze of trees" by artist and cancer patient Michele Angelo Petrone (1963-2007). A figure stands alone in a forest with their arm around a tree.



"I'm confused. I'm lost as to which way to turn - who to turn to. Before, everything seemed so clear. Now, which way to turn, which path to follow? Help me, please somebody show me the way. I had an exhibition on then, called Into the light. It was designed as a celebration of my restoration to health - but in fact it marked my relapse. Was the light, into which I might be going, the great celestial light?"



This painting forms part of a series of work "The emotional cancer journey", which explores the emotions and feelings the artist experienced during his cancer journey. Michele was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1994. He founded the MAP foundation in 2002 to promote expression, communication and understanding of serious illness and dying.

The maze of trees, emotional cancer journey, artwork

Painting titled "The pain of it all" by artist and cancer patient Michele Angelo Petrone (1963-2007). A figure stands trapped, caught between two prickly cacti or trees.



"So I now have a diagnosis. Hodgkin's disease. Let's call it cancer. I've heard of that. I know what it is - Fiona, a woman I live with is having chemotherapy for breast cancer. This is different, I'm told. They don't tell you that an 80% chance of cure means a 20% chance of death. You're left to work that one out for yourself. Death. Life is bad enough, that's what I thought. But who do I tell? Mum, I want to die. Hey, lover of mine, I think forever might be closer than I thought. Hi good friend, want to talk about euthanasia and writing a will?



"We're all in pain, why can't we share our pain?"



Death and illness are almost taboo subjects even though we will all die eventually. Who isn't frightened and doesn't find it difficult to talk to someone they know might be dying? I wasn't prepared, neither were my family and friends. Who's going to help me, listen to me, understand me, be there for me - just for me. Not be frightened by my thoughts and feelings of having my life threatened, changed, and maybe dying at the end of it all anyway."



This painting forms part of a series of work "The emotional cancer journey", which explores the emotions and feelings the artist experienced during his cancer journey. Michele was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1994. He founded the MAP foundation in 2002 to promote expression, communication and understanding of serious illness and dying.

The pain of it all, emotional cancer journey, artwork

Depicts a reclining figure ensnared in branches above a chair.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 122 x 152 cm

Pain.

Depicts a huddled figure in a dark room.

Broken.

Figure with small chair on its back.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 121.5 x 152 cm

Grief.

Depicts two figures holding crucifixion poses.

1 painting : oil and gold-leaf on wood ; 57 x 44 cm

Crucifixion.

Depicts two figures, one cutting the other's hair.

1 painting : watercolour, with gouache ; sheet 20 x 28.8 cm

Loss.

Depicts two figures by a camp fire.

1 painting : gouache ; sheet 41.6 x 29.7 cm

Fire.

Blue figure with a chair in the centre of its chest.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 152.5 x 122 cm

Shattered.

Depicts a blue figure sitting in front of another figure.

1 painting : watercolour, with gouache ; sheet 28.8 x 20.7 cm

Rest.

Depicts a blue figure huddled on a chair with an empty chair on the left.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 152 x 213 cm

Missing.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 153 x 122 cm

Tears.

Depicts trees wrapped in bandages.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 101 x 136 cm

Sleep.

Blue figure with its hands in the air beneath a bright white light.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 152 x 122 cm

Release.

Depicts a weeping figure with one hand on a chair.

16 frames depicting various different scenes.

1 print : lithograph, printed in black and white ; sheet 46 x 35.3 cm

Journey.

Depicts one figure holding a tightrope which a smaller figure is walking across.

1 painting : gold-leaf on wood ; 57 x 44 cm

Fragility.

Figure in a boat on a lake, with a second figure hovering above.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; frame 125.5 x 154.5 cm

Dawn.

Depicts a blue figure saving another blue figure from the water in front of two mountains.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 152 x 182 cm

Two mountains.

Depicts two seated figures, one with a tree on its chest, the other with a chair on its chest.

Together apart.

Depicts a blue figure stroking the face of another blue figure.

1 painting : gouache ; sheet 20.8 x 28.5 cm

Healing touch.

Depicts a gold figure walking across a large green hand at night time.

1 painting : oil on canvas ; 102 x 152 cm

Cast out.

Depicts a figure falling from a tower.

1 painting : gouache ; sheet 29 x 20.9 cm

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Loss, emotional cancer journey, artwork

The healing touch, emotional cancer journey, artwork

The maze of trees, emotional cancer journey, artwork

The pain of it all, emotional cancer journey, artwork

Pain.

Broken.

Grief.

Crucifixion.

Loss.

Fire.

Shattered.

Rest.

Missing.

Tears.

Sleep.

Release.

Loss.

Journey.

Fragility.

Dawn.

Two mountains.

Together apart.

Healing touch.

Cast out.

Cast out.

Stay in the know

Today’s opening times

Wellcome uses cookies.

Search the collections

More filters

Loss, emotional cancer journey, artwork

The healing touch, emotional cancer journey, artwork

The maze of trees, emotional cancer journey, artwork

The pain of it all, emotional cancer journey, artwork

Pain.

Broken.

Grief.

Crucifixion.

Loss.

Fire.

Shattered.

Rest.

Missing.

Tears.

Sleep.

Release.

Loss.

Journey.

Fragility.

Dawn.

Two mountains.

Together apart.

Healing touch.

Cast out.

Cast out.

Stay in the know

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times