Tracey Emin says she ‘totally accepted death’ following cancer diagnosis: ‘That’s what kept me alive’
Tracey Emin has opened up about “totally accepting death” when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer in 2020. In June 2020, visual artist Emin was diagnosed with cancer, and subsequently underwent a series of major surgeries, including a full hysterectomy, as well as the removal of her urethra, bladder, lymph nodes, and part of her vagina and intestine. In April 2021, she shared that the cancer was “gone” after the surgery. In a new interview with The Times, Emin, 60, explained that upon her diagnosis, she was told that there was no guarantee the surgery would be successful in removing the cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, Emin said that she had feared being “dead by Christmas”. As a result, the Turner Prize nominee explained: “I totally accepted death – absolutely, totally.” “I think accepting death on such a profound level was what’s kept me alive,” she said. “I thought, you know what? Death looks after itself. We all die – now I’ll look after living. “I realised that my life has never really been living. I’ve been just dying. I’ve been so nihilistic. I thought, this is gonna change – if I get through this I want to look forward to things and I want to be present.” Emin, 60, now has a stoma (an opening on the abdomen connected to the urinary system allowing waste to be diverted out of the body) and uses a urostomy bag, which she will need to use for the rest of her life. On International Women’s Day in March, Emin penned a powerful personal essay in The Independent about her relationship with her body after surgery. Here, the artist admitted that she “hated” her bag, “but most days I’m philosophical; knowing that it keeps me alive”. She recalled: “One of my greatest golden moments was when my entire bag came off in Chanel on Bond Street: a tsunami of p*** cascading down my body crashing to the champagne-carpeted floor. Everyone was lovely and understood, Chanel even sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers.” For the article published in The Independent, Emin created an exclusive acrylic on canvas artwork, titled “Marriage to Myself”. She also shared a candid photograph of herself standing in front of a full-length mirror with her white urostomy bag visible. While Emin works almost exclusively in the paint medium now, in June she unveiled three bronze doors that she secretly worked on for the re-opening of the National Portrait Gallery following a substantial £44m redevelopment. Etched in individual panels on the doors are 45 female faces, which Emin explained were inspired by facets of her “soul”. Emin said that her arrangement with the National Portrait Gallery was that she was not paid for the work (the gallery only paid the production fees), in exchange for total creative freedom. “It wasn’t a commission,” she explained. “I did it for free. I think the gallery wants to push the idea of portraiture in a different way. “There’s so many different ways to experience somebody’s, let’s say, soul. It doesn’t just have to be what they look like. It could be a portrait of the soul, for example. It could be lots of different things. So I think they wanted it to move away from the idea of classic portraiture. To stretch it.”
2023-11-11 21:15
Tracy Spiridakos exits 'Chicago P.D.' after playing Hailey Upton for 8 seasons, fans fear end of NBC show
Tracy Spiridakos initially joined the show in Season 4 as a recurring character and was subsequently promoted to a series regular in Season 5
2023-10-25 16:48
Kenan and Kel's Good Burger 2 has a trailer - 26 years after original
Kenan and Kel's Good Burger 2 finally has a teaser trailer, 26 years after the original movie was released. The beloved comedy film based off the TV show was released in 1996, and the new version coming to Paramount+ follows a similar storyline. In the nostalgic sequel, Dexter reunites with his co-worker Ed at their old workplace, Good Burger, when things turn a little chaotic once again, with a new crew to manage. Good Burger 2 will be released in November 2023. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
2023-08-22 22:27
'Versatile queen!' Kate Middleton wows internet with her 'incredible' Eurovision piano performance
Kate Middleton performed alongside The Kalush Orchestra with a rendition of their song ‘Stefania’
2023-05-14 14:30
Why did Al Roker roast his co-hosts? ‘Today’ host shares bold opinion on 'adults-only section' floated by airline
On Tuesday, Roker blasted Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer, and Jacob Soboroff during their discussion on a forthcoming change by an airline
2023-08-31 17:48
'It was just starting to get good': Dillon Danis shares video of pre-faceoff encounter with Logan Paul before police intervention
Dillion Danis and Logan Paul didn't come eye-to-eye during their face-off as anticipated
2023-08-25 20:51
Olivia Dunne sets precedent for fans as TikTok star candidly flaunts freckles in no makeup look
Olivia Dunne, who has 11 million followers on social media, recently shared a 'no makeup' selfie on her Instagram story
2023-07-04 16:47
Bayern Munich sign two huge names amid Kane transfer saga
Bayern Munich might be on the verge of buying England captain Harry Kane in a sensational €100m deal – but it has just made two very different signings. The German football club has just announced that Prime, the energy drink created by YouTube personality KSI and Logan Paul, is its “hydration sponsor”. The multi-year deal will see Prime Hydration sold at the Allianz Arena on match days, and the brand plans to expand retail operations in the German market later in the year and launch FC Bayern X Prime limited edition bottles. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter “FC Bayern is delighted to partner with Prime and bring the company to the German market.” said executive board member Andreas Jung. “This partnership with a young, dynamic brand confirms our global growth and aims to reach a new audience for FC Bayern.” “It has been truly special to watch Prime grow so exponentially over the last year, but growth doesn’t happen without partners like FC Bayern Munich,” said Prime co-founders, Logan Paul and KSI, in a statement. “We are so excited to work with such an established and successful group of individuals and we look forward to hydrating all parts of this star club.” Prime has drawn criticism in recent months after doctors said it contained too much caffeine for children under the age of 16 – one of its major markets – to drink in large quantities. The Prime website and Prime Energy label both warn that the drink is not recommended for children under age 18, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women or women who are nursing. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer even called on regulators to investigate the company. The drink brand has become so popular, particularly with children and teenagers, that they are often being sold for 10 times their retail price on eBay. There is now even a tracker app that allows customers to verify stock before visiting stores. On Twitter last year, KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – added that the beverage was being sold on the “black market”. The YouTuber shared screenshots of bottles being sold for £15 on eBay and said: “This annoys me so much. We’re trying so hard to increase the supply as much as possible to try and combat the black-market selling. “Me and Logan ain’t made any money from Prime. It’s all going back into the business to increase the supply. We’re trying people.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-08-10 23:27
Is Artem Chigvintsev OK? Ezra Sosa fills in for 'DWTS' Season 32 pro dancer during Latin Night amid rumors of his return
'DWTS' Season 32 pro dancer Artem Chigvintsev tested positive for COVID-19
2023-10-04 14:22
Allison Holker net worth: DJ Stephen 'Twitch' Boss' widow sells their Encino home for $3.5M
The home held significant sentimental value for Allison Holker and Stephen Boss as it was the backdrop for their cherished dance videos
2023-11-26 20:54
AEW star Anthony Ogogo challenges Jake Paul 'to fight a real boxer', Internet says The Problem Child 'only fights those who won't beat him'
Anthony Ogogo, a former professional boxer, took to his social media to challenge Jake Paul to a 'real' fight
2023-10-29 15:57
Are Mady and Collin Gosselin on talking terms? 'Jon & Kate Plus 8' star accuses brother of threatening every family member
'Jon & Kate Plus 8' siblings Mady and Collin Gosselin are locked in bitter battle
2023-07-21 18:59
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