The Arts for Health and Wellbeing Programme is thrilled to introduce its latest exhibition featuring anatomical embroideries by Cath Janes, situated in University Hospital Llandough’s main Plaza. Cath’s meticulously crafted and anatomically precise depictions of the human body are an exploration of our individuality and essence. They invite viewers to recognise the inherent beauty within our internal landscapes.
My hand stitched anatomical embroideries show viewers that our internal landscapes are as beautiful as anything we’ll find on a holiday postcard.
Challenging our perceptions of our own bodies, my work helps viewers understand, and even love, their own anatomy regardless of the health issues it presents. Seen through the lens of traditional embroidery – a medium that invokes memories of soft environments, nurturing maternal figures and protected childhoods – graphic medical imagery is made safe for us to explore. The result is a conversation about our bodies and why we fear seeing the most intimate parts of ourselves.
I’m now honoured to stitch for patients who seek commemoration, celebration and even peace following their own health journeys. Equally, I take enormous pride in being commissioned by medical professionals who appreciate my detail and precision.
Self-taught, following complex surgeries for Bell’s Palsy, my designs are based on my own research and I use dissection, where possible, to understand textures and shapes. In 2022 I won five awards from the Institute of Medical Illustrators and you can see more of my work and commissions at www.cathjanes.com
-Cath Janes
