A meme-inspired exhibition will explore both sides of living with cancer
A new meme-inspired exhibition will explore the dual-perspective of living with cancer.
The exhibition titled guess i’ll live will run at the Chopping Block Gallery in Peckham for three days, from February 28 until March 2. The works have been created by visual artist, and former RCA student, Josh Spindler in collaboration with his girlfriend Róisín Lanigan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26.
The show charts the real-life story of the couple exploring themes of bad luck, suffering and survival. It uses a variety of mediums including light, sound and sculpture to present the relationship between “sufferer and spectator”.
Following Lanigan’s treatment finishing in November 2018, the exhibition offers a retrospective look at the journey of both individuals.
Lanigan told the Standard: “Not a lot of work about going through cancer takes into account that it's a real ripple effect disease and it affects the people you love, not just you, so I think this exhibition really tackles that.
“You never see cancer from a young person's point of view or seen in a tongue in cheek or facetious way because it's almost not allowed to be spoken about in that way. Ultimately we're two people in our twenties and we use memes a lot to express how we feel, so why not translate that into our exhibition?“
Spindler added: “Memes get to the point, they are relatable bite-sized segments of exactly what life can be like, good, bad, devastating and life changing.
"I wanted the art to convey the best aspects of memes, the bold text or the slogan/catchphrase they're associated with, and most importantly, the conversational way they invite the viewer to engage with them."
Standout pieces from the exhibition include a timed lights and sound installation, which Spindler says “is the most visceral piece related to the actual diagnosis” as it will physically show visitors “the two stories unfolding in the same space and time.”
A zine written by Lanigan celebrating the stories of cancer survivors and a meme-inspired pin will be available to purchase on opening night. All proceeds will be donated to Stand Up To Cancer and Trekstock, a charity for young cancer survivors.
guess i'll live will run as part of The Chopping Block’s Open Projects series created in partnership with The Sassoon Gallery. For more information, visit facebook.com
