Triangle

Pheonix

Painting of two version of the same person - one in hospital gown looking downwards, one in t-shirt looking at the other

It really portrays for me the journey of my resilience. Papworth saved me, physically, but mentally and emotionally, I saved myself. I have been fortunate to have wonderful support, but ultimately, I have saved myself. This is an example, I think perfectly, of not just talking to myself, but actually also, there's another interpretation to this.

And that's the fact that I think Andy has perfectly shown that survival means that us men have to talk to each other because, as we know well, you know, every 8 to 10 minutes a man is taking his life in the world. Now, that's a pandemic, but no one talks about it.

 

Recovery

Chik had an earlier painting done in 2020 as part of the Portraits of Isolation series by Andy Farr.

Painting of person against colourful background wearing an oxygen mask with nurse in PPE over them
 

In their own words

Chik explains the trauma he went through and reads poems about his experiences.