Journey gently through the maze of handkerchiefs and noses.

 

In this piece I am representing one of the invisible side effects of my cancer treatment: the years I have spent with sores in my nostrils, nose bleeds, and struggles with breathing.

The plaster noses look intact and healthy, representing the invisibility of the illness within.

 

The handkerchief maze represents the confusion of trying to find my way through the reality of living with a long-term illness and its side effects.

 

Once through the handkerchief maze you will find the golden nose. This is my attempt at repairing my plaster nose using the Japanese art of Kintsugi. Through mending my nose with this technique, a visible golden scar remains; the side effects of my illness are no longer invisible.