Cancer 

Fernanda Suarez created this digital painting, “Cancer”, in the 21st century. The figure, submerged in water, offers us a flower. Her skin is marked with splotches, a visual symbol of the disease “Cancer”. Note how the artist is using the sign of the zodiac to embody a very real and pressing public health issue. This image speaks to the tradition, particularly strong among women artists, of representing their own bodies as a means of calling attention to the politics of healthcare. Many artists of our time critique established institutional structures and social norms through the political deployment of imagery on social media platforms, such as Instagram. We can interpret works of art like this one through close attention to their engagement with contemporary social and political issues. To fully appreciate the nuances of an artwork, we need to delve into its social and institutional context. Research resources, from medical records to social media trends, become invaluable tools in understanding art's significance.