Media Release
Date: 22 October 2024
Former RUH cancer patient exhibits artwork at hospital
A popular local artist is exhibiting her artwork at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust – the same hospital where she was treated for cancer.
Phil Batty, from Atworth in Wiltshire, was diagnosed with stage three malignant melanoma in 2019 and had treatment at the RUH throughout 2020. She has since been given the all-clear but continues to attend the RUH for scans and check-ups.
Phil started painting in 2018 but it was during her cancer treatment that she really embraced the artistic life, painting and creating from her kitchen at home.
Her exhibition, 'Still Alive', initially exhibited at Corsham Gallery, is being shown at the RUH by Art at the Heart, the RUH’s in-house art and design team. It follows another successful exhibition from Phil that was shown during the Peacock Art Trail in Corsham last year.
'Still Alive' is a collection of mixed media artwork, inspired by her cancer journey.
“I first started doing art because it makes me feel alive, it lights me up,” said Phil. “Still Alive is all about celebrating life and the fact that I’m still here, making the art that I love so much.
“During my cancer treatment art was something that always made me happy and gave me that creative focus.
“I’m delighted that part of the exhibition is now on show at the RUH and hope it’s enjoyed by those who see it.”
Phil creates floral pieces as well as still life and collages, printing paper that she then incorporates into her work. Some of her pieces have poems that resonate with her included within them.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer it was during lockdown, so it was a very uncertain time for everyone,” said Phil. “I remember how well the staff at the RUH looked after me though – they were very caring and supportive.”
Tony Smith, Exhibitions Manager for Art at the Heart, 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.”
Phil started her career as a health visitor working in the NHS until 2015, before retraining as a teacher in the Alexander technique, which teaches improved posture and movement, to rid herself of chronic back pain.
As well as continuing to exhibit around the local area, she is looking at creating a course that mixes art with the Alexander technique, to help artists with musculoskeletal problems to continue to do the work they love.
You can find the 'Still Alive' exhibition in the corridor outside the Friends of the RUH Café (B18). All artwork is for sale with one third of the proceeds going to the RUH.
You can follow Phil on Instagram @batty.phil and Art at the Heart @artatheartruh