Cancer survivors are telling their stories of survival through turning their radiation masks into works of art.
When patients have cancer near their throat or head they often require a mask that keeps their head still during radiotherapy so the treatment can be delivered accurately.
Patients who are now in remission are turning their masks into pieces of art that will be exhibited at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in June.
Campbelltown resident Christine Robinson is remission after surviving a brain tumour.
She was diagnosed last September and received radiation therapy to treat her cancer at Liverpool Hospital, which finished in January.
Soon after I finished my treatment I decorated my mask in a workshop in February, Mrs Robinson said.
I had to wear the mask so I could get better.
I couldnt see when I wore the mask so I have designed my artwork to represent that feeling.
Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospital Director of Radiation Oncology Dr Dion Forstner said the Cancer Therapy Centres had found a powerful purpose for the masks.
Patients with head and neck cancer who have completed radiation treatment often have mixed feelings about their radiation masks, Dr Forstner said.
For some people, seeing a mask that reminds them of radiation treatment can understandably be quite distressing but by taking this source of pain and turning it into an art work, were empowering patients in remission to take something gloomy and turn it into something powerful.
Mrs Robinson created a mask called Dio de Janeiro that had feathers, gold eye masks and lace.
Being part of the workshop helped a lot during the healing process because it gave me something to do while I was still recovering and I got to represent my experience in the form of art, she said.
Mrs Robinson said she enjoyed sending photos of her mask to her family in New Zealand to tell them about her treatment.
It was also nice to make the masks with other cancer survivors because we could talk about our experiences, she said.
I am proud of my mask because I used creativity and it has my personal touches.
Facilitator of the workshops Dianne McClaughlin said the participants felt empowered by decorating the masks because they could rewrite their cancer experiences.
The workshops helped the survivors feel normal again on their journey to wellness, she said.
People with cancer have a story to tell through their masks.
The exhibition opens on Friday June 10 and runs until Sunday June 12.
Mrs Robinson is excited to see the masks hanging in the exhibition.
Details: www.casulapowerhouse.com or 9824 1121.
