Cancer patient’s art gift to give ‘positivity in darkness’
A cancer patient has presented RUH staff with an original artwork in thanks for their care and treatment.
Dan Griffin, aged 49, from Bath, was told in 2020 that his illness, a rare form of lung cancer, was incurable.
He said: “Throughout my cancer journey I have had the expert guidance and support of oncology doctors and the amazing team of lung nurses, Macmillan Cancer Support staff and countless others at the RUH.
“I wanted to show my appreciation with the gift of a painting that I hope will add a little colour and positivity to the lives of those affected by the darkness of a cancer diagnosis.”
He says that the news that his illness was terminal inspired him to make many changes, one of them to pursue his passion for painting.
He now has his first public exhibition at 44AD Gallery in the centre of Bath, which opened on
Tuesday (August 24) called Dignitastic! Where Art Meets a Terminal Lung Cancer Diagnosis.
Dan’s gift to the oncology department is an abstract piece in acrylics titled The Spectre of Homer Simpson, Samurai.
He said: “I have always been fascinated by imagery; by shapes and colours; by beautiful design and by our interactions with them; how they can raise our spirits and show us light in times and places of overwhelming darkness.
“It is my honour to be able to present a specially-produced work that will, I hope, offer an additional dash of colour perhaps at a time when it is needed most.”
RUH oncology matron Caroline Gilleece said: “We would like to thank Dan for his very generous gift and his hope that it will bring pleasure to other patients. His story is an inspiring one and we wish him all the best with his first art exhibition.”