Brianne Urzada, a Regina artist and cancer survivor, channels her emotions through paint, creating works that explore healing and human connection. Now 37, Urzada was 23 when she received a life-changing diagnosis of Stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma.
A Delayed Diagnosis
Urzada recalls discovering a lump under her armpit in Grade 9. At that time, tests indicated it was benign. However, a decade later, doctors re-examined the same sample and found cancer. "I often think about how different my life would be if I found out then," she reflects.
From Realism to Abstraction
Fourteen years after her diagnosis, Urzada has transformed her recovery into an artistic journey. Her latest exhibition, Threads, runs at Assiniboia Art Gallery in Regina until June 18. Unlike her earlier realistic works, this series embraces abstraction, using sierra and sienna tones on linen to symbolize connection.
Urzada describes her creative process as intuitive: "I've always been a maker. The need to make something has always been a part of me. When I do that, I feel a sense of calm." She adds that switching to abstract forms allowed her to paint more freely, reducing the stress of exact representation.
Understanding Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma targets the lymphatic system, including lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and bone marrow. It begins in white blood cells, where DNA mutations cause healthy cells to die rapidly. Although the cause remains unknown, the cancer is treatable with chemotherapy and radiation, though side effects can be severe.
Now cancer-free, Urzada uses art to explore inner peace. "I think so often that we are confined to our bodies. When you go through something like that, you feel extra confined to it," she explains. Her Threads series embodies this theme, using earthy tones and abstract forms to defy boundaries and create fluidity.
Giving Back Through Art
Beyond her own practice, Urzada teaches free painting classes to cancer patients and survivors. These sessions foster community through shared experience and creativity. However, funding cuts have threatened the program. "It doesn't take much to run, and now I'm looking for a private donation or company to support it," she says. "Those classes are so important because they offered a place of peace within our making."
Urzada's work reminds us that art can be a powerful tool for healing, both for the artist and the community.
