Andrew Crummy MBE
Andrew Crummy MBE: Cancer Tapestry
Edinburgh Art Fair, 19–21 September 2025
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Talk
Saturday 20th, 12pm - 1pm
In 2017, Edinburgh artist Andrew Crummy showcased 30 panels from his Scottish Diaspora tapestry. The same year, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He vowed that if he survived, he would tell the story of cancer by bringing people together to create something potentially bigger and more globally significant than his other great work, The Great Tapestry of Scotland.
We are delighted that Andrew will be exhibiting several panels from his resulting Cancer Tapestry at our 20th anniversary fair.
The Cancer Tapestry aims to share 1000 personal stories of cancer. It highlights not only the scientific aspects of cancer care and the typical patient journey but also the human side of treatment. This includes the compassion and care extended by doctors, nurses, and staff, as well as by family, friends, and the wider community.
It started with the artist Andrew Crummy exploring his experience of cancer treatment, but has now developed into telling stories about what it means to have cancer. Like The Great Tapestry of Scotland, The Cancer Tapestry is a community arts project.
Currently, seven panels are complete, with an additional 10 panels underway from various locations, including Scotland, England, Wales, and as far as Mexico and South Africa. We have received support from Macmillan Cancer Support and several other charities.
The completed panels will form Andrew's exhibition at this year's EAF, and will also feature an award-winning documentary entitled "A good Thing to do" by Jon Gill, which won "Best Feature about the Arts in Healing" at the Arts in Healing International Film Festival.
In his own words:
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Born in Craigmillar, Edinburgh, a neighbourhood often regarded as impoverished, my introduction to art was through the Craigmillar Festival Society, so my childhood memories are full of Community Arts events that involved festivals, drama, music, clowns, colour and laughter.
I trained as an illustrator at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, then on an MA Design course at Glasgow School of Art. My professional life started in London, working for Everything But The Girl, New Musical Express, The Observer, Timeout, and Good Housekeeping. Through Design Agencies, I developed large-scale murals in busy High Streets across the UK for Midland Bank, often around building sites. These murals often depicted the history of cities, towns, or places.
This then developed into more artworks in public and community settings, the longest being around The Spindles Shopping Centre in Oldham, which was a quarter of a mile. Since then, I have been fortunate to have been involved with many mural projects around the world. I have become involved with a range of book publications, multimedia events, festivals and educational programmes.
I was the mural Convenor for The Prestonpans Murals Programme until 2012, which now has over 50 public artworks.
In 2009 I designed and drew The Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry, since then I have been involved in a further 20 tapestries. 2021 saw the opening of The Great Tapestry of Scotland building in Galashiels.
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In 2023, I received an MBE, Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Dundee University and a Fletcher of Saltoun Award from The Saltire Society for my contribution to Scottish Public Life.
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I still illustrate the occasional book, paint skyscapes, murals, portraits and of course draw with a 2B pencil.
