Tracey Emin speaks about her cancer at opening of her exhibition in Rome

The artist, who has been given the all clear, describes her works as a testament ‘to the healing power of art’

British artist Tracey Emin spoke about her recovery from cancer as she opened a new exhibition in Rome, recalling her last visit to the Italian capital “when I was dying, but didn’t know it”.

Fifteen artworks completed by Emin, 59, since she was given the all-clear from bladder cancer in 2021 are being displayed at the Galleria Lorcan O’Neill in central Rome. Called You Should Have Saved Me, the works are described as a testament “to the healing power of art”.