The story behind Zale
My Ideas
In creating this sculpture, my intention was for it to resonate with everyone affected by cancer: patients, families, friends, healthcare professionals, anyone who’s ever found themselves navigating this challenging journey. I wanted to include people at all stages — those in remission, those currently undergoing treatment, those facing terminal diagnoses, and those we’ve sadly lost.
But for me, it’s also deeply personal. Cancer has quietly shaped so many parts of my life. friends currently in treatment, friends who are terminal, family members who’ve died, and others who’ve recovered. My mum had lung cancer 14 years ago and thankfully survived , she was also an A&E nurse, and through her I saw both sides of the experience. I’ve witnessed the emotional toll it takes on healthcare staff, especially when they’re delivering difficult news or holding space for others in crisis. I’ve also seen the quiet resilience of friends continuing to parent, work, and care for others, even while undergoing treatment themselves. I wanted Zale to honour that — the full circle of strength, support, and vulnerability.
Above all, I hoped to convey a message of solidarity: that you are not alone in your journey.
Visually, I aimed to captivate viewers, using NHS blue and a delicate gold-leafed mane to draw them in. The gold is fine and fragile, with cracks in places, echoing hair loss during treatment. But even in its fragility, it shines. It’s a quiet reminder that strength can exist alongside vulnerability, and that losing something doesn’t take away your worth.
As people come closer, I hope they discover the small moments hidden in the design a seascape in the eyes, the grounding feel of waves beneath the feet, the soft ripple of water across the shoulders. All of it pointing toward reflection, the ebb and flow of life, of challenge, and of healing.
This sculpture also connects with previous artworks I’ve created for hospital spaces. I believe art and creativity can provide comfort, offering people a moment to pause, breathe, and feel. Just like this sculpture, my other work aims to bring calm, beauty, and a chance to simply stop for a while.