Novartis UK announces the opening of the immersive MPN 10 exhibition, which is currently on tour throughout the UK and on display at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church from April 23 to May 2.
The sculptures shine a light on the symptoms of a group of rare blood cancers called myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The 10 bespoke sculptures have been exclusively designed by five mural artists from around the UK, with Liverpool Artist, Paul Curtis designing number 2 and 4.
MPNs are a type of blood cancer that originates in the bone marrow. There are three main types of MPNs: myelofibrosis (MF), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and polycythaemia (PV). With MPNs affecting ~4,100 people in the UK each year, it’s never been more important to be aware of the symptoms.
The installation forms part of Novartis and MPN Voice’s campaign ‘Meet the MPN 10’ which features 10 characters that personify the most common symptoms associated with these types of cancers – for example, ‘Night Sweats Nick’ and ‘Weight Loss Wendy’. Visitors to the installation can meet and interact with the characters via an augmented reality (AR) experience.
Alisia O’Sullivan, from MPN Voice said:
“One of the challenges with MPNs is that symptoms often go under the radar and get confused with ageing or other conditions. For example, if someone is facing extreme fatigue or experiencing nights sweats, they may put this down to the menopause, or their time of life.”
More needs to be done to recognise and identify these symptoms early so that people living with the condition can seek help from medical professionals to better manage their symptoms, and those who are undiagnosed can seek a potential diagnosis sooner.”
Marie-Andrée Gamache, Country President, Novartis UK and Ireland added:
“This unique exhibition is part of Novartis’s ongoing commitment to transforming the lives of people living with blood cancers. By working in partnership with MPN Voice, we’ve been able to use real experiences from those living with MPNs about the true impact these symptoms have on their quality of life. We know art can be a powerful way to express feelings and draw attention to a cause, so we’re proud to have worked with five talented artists to portray the reality of these symptoms in such an attention-grabbing way.”
Frankie Strand, artist from London said:
“I think it’s important for patients to feel seen, hopefully this generates empathy and brings something more positive, from something negative. Art can help solidify something in your mind.”
I was largely inspired by things under the microscope, really close up images of cells, the fibres of bone.”
The temporary art exhibition can be found at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church from Tuesday 23rd of April to 2nd of May 2024.
