We’ve all been touched by cancer, through someone we love or admire, or even our own. Nearly 40 percent of us will be diagnosed with the disease in our lifetime.
Three years ago, St. Louis artist Amy Reidel found out her mother had cancer. Shortly after, first one aunt, then another, got a cancer diagnosis. In the middle of it all, Reidel’s grandmother died.
For more than a year, Reidel made no art. After that, she couldn’t stop. The Sheldon is holding an exhibition of the work inspired by her family's health issues, called “Radar Home 11.8.13." In our latest Cut & Paste arts and culture podcast, we talked with Reidel about using such things as MRI scans, weather radar and glitter, and the meaning of that life-changing day in November 2013.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear Reidel say in the podcast:
- On watching her mother endure cancer treatments: "To see someone you love so much go through that is just about the worst."
- About frequently making art about her mother and why that relationship is important: “That’s where I’ve learned how to be a person.”
- On why she’s not sure if her highly personal work will be successful: “I feel a lot of our art world values much more elitist, worldly themes.”
Look for new Cut & Paste (#cutpastestl) podcasts every few weeks on our website. You can also view all previous podcasts focusing on a diverse collection of visual and performing artists, and subscribe to Cut & Paste through this link.
Follow Willis and Nancy on Twitter: @WillisRArnold and @NancyFowlerSTL
Please help St. Louis Public Radio find artists to feature on Cut & Paste. Tell us which artists and cultural themes deserve a closer look.
