Some years ago I found myself looking through a microscope in a cytology department at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton as part of my research on Hidden Images: the secret world of genetic disorders. There in front of me was a beautiful image of something I didn't understand. I was looking at a cervical cancer cell. That moment stayed with me and the initial idea for Heavy Words grew - to create a work that would raise awareness of cervical cancer and enable women to talk openly about their experiences of the disease.
In the beginning I imagined Heavy Words as a 1:1 performance piece that would take place in doctors' consulting rooms. Due to lack of funding and the passing of time my thinking has shifted to a small installation/exhibition to be shown in a GPs surgery.
The project has been moving slowly, but earlier this month I placed a piece on the Jo's Trust website asking women in the South West if they would meet me and share their stories of cervical cancer. I'm having my first meeting at the end of this week. This development has coincided with publicity for the new HPV vaccine. I'm excited again and feel the work is about to move up a gear.

    
Sketchbook example 1                                                Sketchbook example 2