About the Program | Stories of Hope | Healing through Art | Survey Results | News & Updates HEALING THROUGH ART: JOHN AND MARY’S STORY After his wife Mary was diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer, John Magnan, New Bedford, Mass., sought solace through art, and now thousands of ovarian cancer patients have done the same after viewing his exhibit "Body Image/Body Essence," sponsored by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. The sculpture and art pieces depict the various stages of ovarian cancer and the emotions he and Mary felt throughout their journey with the disease. Mary died in February 2006 after a seven-year battle. "Art served as a form of meditation, a place to put my fear and anxiety. I was Mary’s caregiver, her eyes and ears at the hospital, and her hope," said Magnan. "But, she was there for me too by inspiring and advising me on each sculpture and every exhibit along the way." The first sculpture was created after learning of his wife’s diagnosis. He clipped heads from straight pins by making small tacks and attaching them to a pine egg. The repetitiveness of tapping 46,000 pins into the egg, which he later named "Sharps," was therapeutic and symbolized the many needle sticks ovarian cancer patients receive. In the next six months, as ovarian cancer became a larger focus of their lives, John worked on new sculpture pieces that also provided an outlet for the couple to cope and talk to each other about the disease. Magnan said Mary’s favorite piece was the bronze helmet and shield titled "Warrior." The armor was made from casting Mary’s bald skull and torso while she was receiving chemotherapy. His favorite is "Survivor," a series of digitally enhanced photographs that chronicle her struggle with hair loss during chemotherapy, and how she tried to cover her head by adding scarves and hats. The last photo shows her in remission with her hair growing back. The exhibit has traveled to a number of large cities and was recently displayed at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, D.C. Through June 25, 2006, "Body Image/Body Essence" will be at the Museum of Art in Spartanburg, SC. To contact a local NOCC chapter, visit www.ovarian.org or call
1-888-OVARIAN (1-888-682-7426). |