Artist exhibits work at hospital that treated her

Phil Batty is showcasing her work at Royal United Hospital in Bath, the hospital that treated her for cancer in 2020

An artist is showcasing her work at the same hospital that treated her for skin cancer four years ago.

Inspired by her cancer journey, Phil Batty, from Atworth in Wiltshire, is exhibiting her work called 'Still Alive' at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath.

The work includes floral pieces as well as still life and collages, with a third of sale proceeds going to the hospital.

Ms Batty said: "Still Alive is all about celebrating life and the fact that I’m still here, making the art that I love so much."

“I first started doing art because it makes me feel alive, it lights me up,” she added.

Ms Batty said art had helped her during her cancer diagnosis

First diagnosed with stage three malignant melanoma in 2019, Ms Batty said: "During my cancer treatment art was something that always made me happy and gave me that creative focus."

Ms Batty, who has since been given the all clear but continues to attend the RUH for check-ups, said she was delighted her art is now being showcased at the very hospital that looked after her.

“When I was treated for cancer it was during lockdown, so it was a very uncertain time for everyone,” she said.

“I remember how well the staff at the RUH looked after me though – they were very caring and supportive."

Phil Batty creates floral pieces as well as still life and collages

Tony Smith, exhibitions manager for Art at the Heart, the RUH's in-house art and design team, said: "We have a programme of temporary exhibitions from a range of talented local artists and it’s really special to have Phil’s work on display.

"Hearing about Phil’s experience of creating art at such a difficult time is really inspiring and we hope that the exhibition is enjoyed by patients, staff and visitors at the RUH."

First exhibited at Corsham Gallery, the Still Alive exhibition can be seen in the corridor outside the Friends of the RUH Café.