How Radiation-Mask Art Helps Artists Heal, Grieve, and Honor Survivors

In December 2020, the Cancer Support Community AZ approached gallery director Michael Denson about a new exhibit. "It was an exciting concept where artists were given radiation masks of cancer patients and commissioned to create works of art based on the patient's story," Denson tells POPSUGAR. "At the time of our initial planning, my father and sister both were suffering through cancer diagnosis and treatments." While visiting his sister, Denson noticed a radiation mask sitting in the corner of her room, and asked if he could use it in the upcoming exhibit. "She kindly agreed, leaving me with the words, 'It reminds me of what I've been through.' I came back with her radiation mask, determined to capture her story as I saw it play out, as she continued her battle."

Denson used acrylic and ink on wood for the final piece, entitled "Pushing Through" — a tribute to his sister. "Like a beautiful lotus climbing, reaching, making its way through mucky waters, she pushed through. Through sadness, disappointment, isolation, pain, frustration, and innumerable unknowns, she pushed through," he says. "Unfortunately she lost her battle with cancer. But her story remains. She taught us how to keep fighting, for family, for love, for life. She taught us how to break through the dark waters and blossom in the light."

"My mom lost her battle with cancer, [so] when my closest friend was diagnosed it was terrifying," artist Andrew Pisula tells POPSUGAR. "She won her battle and asked me to turn her radiation mask into something beautiful." The radiation mask serves as the focal point of the piece, surrounded by sculpted wooden petals, semi-precious stones, metals, and fabrics. "This was easily the hardest creative project I've ever done. But also, the most meaningful," Pisula says. "I posted the results to social media and have now done a series and each one carries the same emotions into it."

Another multimedia radiation mask creation by Pisula, this piece features another intricate and beautiful wood carving. I'm proud to do this for all my (now) friends that have had such a trial in their lives," Pisula says.

Cyndi Hardy's radiation mask art, entitled "Breathe," is dedicated to her mom, who died from ovarian cancer. "I created the mask so that I could tell the story of my mum while spreading awareness about ovarian cancer," she tells POPSUGAR. "It was a little nerve wracking since I only had one shot at it, but it was also calming at the same time. When I finished it, it felt like I had accomplished the most meaningful art piece of my life." Hardy fashioned a base out of plaster cloth, shaping the face using joint compound, and adding color with acrylic paint.

When the piece was originally displayed, Hardy wrote, "Her favorite place was the ocean, so I painted the mask in an ocean theme with the sand and waves at the bottom and deeper blue at the top." Personal touches like earrings, lilacs, and a crochet headband helped the mask feel more like her. "The butterflies represent the constant changing and evolving in her life," Hardy says. "The hummingbirds show that she now flies with the hummingbirds."

"Nine years ago I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer — parotid gland cancer," artist Hélène Ninnin tells POPSUGAR. After a 9.5 hour operation, Ninnin's doctor told her she needed radiation as well. "I'm a visual artist, so the first thing that came into my mind when they put on the mask was, 'When I'm healed, I'm going to make art out of radiation masks.'" Now, Ninnin crafts all kinds of sculptures out of radiation masks, including swallows, wings, and peonies. She explains that creating radiation mask art for others helps her heal as well. "I put a lot of love in it," she says. "I would love to turn something that was very hard to go through into something positive." This magical animal was made using her own radiation mask, featuring rainbow wings and glittery feathers.

"I think I'm a good example that you can make a beautiful life while you've gone through so much," Ninnin says. "You can heal in many different ways. Life is beautiful, make it your own. Do the things you love — do the things that make your heart sing."

"When I finished radiation, my team said that I could keep the mask. At the time I was pretty despondent, so I had no idea what I'd end up doing with it," artist Kat Howell tells POPSUGAR. After finding some inspiration online, Howell decided she was done letting her mask collect dust, taking it on a trip to the craft store. "The thought of reclaiming something that triggered visceral, horrific memories for me into a symbol of strength and beauty resonated," she explains, referencing her own journey with tongue cancer. The mask, titled "Fabiola", was created using pearls, spray paint, foam, and artificial floral arrangements. Howell calls the actual artistic process "quite cathartic," eventually sharing the process on TikTok.

"Seeing the mask transformed from its original form to a genuinely beautiful and unique piece of art that is also part of ME was moving. That face is MY face," Howell says. "I reclaimed what the mask is to me and what it meant for that period in my life."

Radiation therapist and artist Gerry Ash has been painting radiation masks for over 30 years, mostly for children in a Canadian hospital, but sometimes for adults too. "I would never refuse to paint for someone," she tells POPSUGAR. Her masks can take up to 20 hours to paint, plus 2-3 hours of prep work depending on the complexity. This Wonder Woman-themed mask was created for a breast cancer patient with brain metastases (when cancer cells travel away from their original location). Over the years, Ash estimates she's done hundreds of masks, decorated with everything from unicorns to Shrek ears.