The photo-shoot took place at the stunning Maggie’s Fife Centre (a Zaha Hadid designed building) on a sunny day in September.  All of the subjects had been affected by cancer, as has Sam herself, who was first diagnosed with the disease at the age of 29.  The result of this shoot is a series of intimate portraits of families, couples and individuals, who are facing one of the most challenging times of their lives.

Sam Taylor Wood, who is a Patron of Maggie’s, comments:
“Every person shown has been affected by cancer, either living with the disease themselves or supporting a loved one through their own illness. I hope that the portraits have captured their strong and mildly heroic spirit. They were very brave to put their faces to this, as it can’t have been an easy decision.”

The portraits were first exhibited at Christmas 2007 in Downing Street – the first and only time that new works of art, not part of the Downing Street collection, have been shown in the Prime Minister’s residence.  The exhibition is now touring the country, showing at prestigious venues in towns and cities which have a Maggie’s Centres.

Opened in 2002 Maggie’s Centre at Glasgow’s Western Infirmary provides a place for anyone affected by any kind of cancer to access emotional support and practical advice all within a welcoming environment.  Glasgow will be the first city in the UK to have two Maggie’s Centres – the second will be located at Gartnavel Hospital.

If you would like to see the exhibition it will be at The Mitchell Library in Glasgow from 26th January to 20th February.