Cheryl Hardy 1976 - 2022
Cheryl, an undergraduate history student at Bristol University, approached me in 2020 via a mutual friend, while undergoing cancer treatment. She wanted to explore being a life model (as she had in the past), as a way to help address her new shape post-mastectomy.
Home comforts
Life modelling needs a warm room - my studio cat “Mr Sausages” took up residence by Cheryl’s feet for much of the process
It's very tempting to make assumptions/step into the narrative void left when someone has died, claiming intentions they may/may not have had, to fit your own agenda. Much as I would love to, I feel it would be disrespectful to Cheryl, for me to claim her as my ‘friend’ - our time together was intense, uplifting, and mutually beneficial - I don’t presume to know how she would have described our relationship.
I am however very clear that she was happy for the results of our collaboration (and her words) to be in the public domain, and I am committed to doing good with the work we started together.
These are the four pieces I created while Cheryl posed and we talked, in the order that they were made. They are available, click on an image below for info and to buy:
From our first meeting - Graphite on A3 paper. A 1:1 life drawing situation is 'sacred space', with long periods of silence. Sometimes we laughed, other times Cheryl verbalised the physical and emotional trauma she was dealing with, extending into an uncertain future. I learned of her hobby: sitting in her hammock, making a false online account and trolling racists.
From our 2nd meeting - Graphite pencil and powder on approx A1 paper. I was nervous about how Cheryl would feel about my honest drawings but she was enthusiastic from the start, with an innate understanding of what to expect, and an infectious confidence in my ability. She seemed to find the process helpful, too.
From our 3rd meeting. Started from life, finished from a photo reference.
“Defiance” (named by Cheryl)
In Cheryl’s words
At Cheryl’s instigation, we jointly contributed this article to the Breast Cancer Art Project
Exhibitions
During Cheryl’s lifetime, I am happy that she was able to witness the work on show. Since Cheryl’s untimely death, the pieces we collaborated on have been exhibited multiple times, to a very warm reception (see below). Unless/until the work is sold, I am happy to loan them out selectively for appropriate exhibition.
At the opening night of Heart Of The Tribe gallery on 30th August 2020, celebrating Cheryl’s portrait being exhibited. For a while this drawing was in the gallery window. Cheryl was pleased to know that the gallery staff had noticed it prompting conversations, be that a woman with a young child, or the several women who identified through personal experience with her predicament. Heart Of The Tribe gallery opening show “Diversity” Virtual tour
May 2021 - Heart Of The Tribe gallery joint show “Get Real” - Gail Reid and Caroline Le Vine virtual tour
March 2024 - Worshipful Company of World Traders’ International Women’s Day 2024 event at Goodenough College, London March 2024 (pictured at the far end of the Great Hall. See curatorial notes here)
June 2024 - Centre For Appearance Research 10th annual Appearance Matters conference at Bristol City Hall
I am grateful to the conference chairs for allowing me to invite Cheryl’s friends in during a break, to see the display of work featuring Cheryl. Dr Nicola Stock (co-chair) spoke with them about the centre’s work with many different segments of the visible difference community. Post-mastectomy support is a significant part of this work. I was very happy to be able to demonstrate the continuing positive impact of Cheryl’s idea to collaborate with me. It was lovely to learn from them how excited she had been about our project together, and that it had indeed been helpful to her. Second from the left in the picture is artist Rufus Mills, who introduced Cheryl and me. Read more here about my exhibition at the AM10 conference