Changing faces of breast cancer: a practice-based autoethnography investigating the role of augmented reality in exploring the evolving identities associated with a breast cancer diagnosis

This practice-based PhD focuses on the role that augmented reality (AR) can play in exploring the evolving identities involved in a breast cancer diagnosis. It challenges conventions by exploring areas of the breast cancer journey which are rarely spoken about whilst inviting the viewer to step deeper into this sensitive subject using augmented reality. The majority of breast cancer art exhibited is focused on the breast itself and the deformation of the body due to surgery, whereas this work amplifies the voices of the feelings evoked due to the stigma of hair loss and identity changes caused by treatment which is rarely focused upon in this way.

The practice has arisen from an autoethnographic study based on an online blog and images captured to document the researcher's lived experience of breast cancer. Autoethnography has been chosen as a research method as ‘personal topics fit autoethnographic inquiries well because researchers have direct access to intimate information and can investigate the subjects in depth’ (Chang, 2016, p50). The autoethnographic nature of the study allows the research to offer a unique personal depth to the practice, whilst qualitative interviews with other woman who have experienced a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment adds additional voices to the practice.

Sharing the experience and innermost thoughts and feelings throughout the process as a practice-based output, art pieces have been created, many of which have an interactive element to them by means of augmented reality. These art pieces, alongside an animated video, blog posts and a digital art series of prints have been exhibited in two solo exhibitions in galleries in Kent. The exhibitions have been an opportunity to gather audience response to the work as ‘autoethnography actively seeks a reciprocal relationship with audiences’ (Holman-Jones, 2005, cited in Holman Jones, Adams and Ellis, 2013, p24).