In July 2022, global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, joined forces on an exciting project.

Six employees from AstraZeneca who form part of the Cancer@Work Employee Resource Group – a support network, where individuals from across the business are able to connect with others going through a similar experience of cancer, whether it be as a patient, carer or family member - were partnered with six Fine Art graduates.

Over the following months, they worked closely together to create six individual artworks, each as unique as the person and story that inspired it. The result was Within - a collection that provides a deep connection to the work that AstraZeneca does in the field of Oncology by acting as a reminder, primarily to its employees, of the organisation's commitment to discovering, developing and delivering life-changing treatments that have a positive impact on the world.

All six pieces now reside within the AstraZeneca UK Kings Cross offices.

Developed following a series of intimate conversations this piece, a series of six artworks, reflects how cancer impacts the patient’s internal world and are based on metaphors for feelings of anxiety, and snippets of an individual’s outlook since diagnosis.

A belief that time is our most precious commodity and that making memories is much more valuable than any material possession was pivotal for creating the series. This is reflected in the use of gold which signifies the value of the time we have here.

Materials: Acrylic ink, gold leaf, pigment and etching on cotton rag paper