Tracey Emin proudly wears her stoma bag on freezing beach day in Margate-Joel Harley-Entertainment – Metro

Tracey Emin was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020 (Pictures: @traceyeminstudio, Instagram)

Artist Tracey Emin has proudly showed off her stoma bag while stripping off for a freezing beach visit to Margate with friends.

Sixty-year-old Emin became famous for her award-winning works of painting, drawing and sculpture, most notably the 1998 piece My Bed – an exhibit which consisted of a dishevelled, unmade bed representing Emin’s state of mind at the time.

Emin was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer in 2020, and has been open about her struggle with the condition ever since.

She was most recently hospitalised as of December 2023, due to complications from an infection and scar tissue from previous surgeries. As a result of the urostomy she underwent to treat the cancer, Emin now wears a Stoma bag.

However, the iconic artist remains spirited and defiant in the face of her illness.

Posting to her Instagram account this week, she shared pictures from a recent trip to Margate beach, where she and others celebrated the birthday of a friend.

Emin revealed her stoma bag while on the beach in Margate (Picture: @traceyeminstudio, Instagram)

‘Celebrating Liz’s birthday this morning on Margate beach,’ Emin wrote in the first of two posts, which included a selfie from the artist and two friends. ‘I love Margate, I’m so happy here. The best thing about Margate are my friends…’

In the second of the two chilly-looking pictures, Emin stands, clad only in a bikini, under the pouring February rain. In the background, a wooden hut (tagged @seascrubsauna) suggested that she had just completed a session in the sauna followed by a bracing dip in the icy North Sea.

‘Margate on an ice cold winter’s day. We all have to find ways to feel alive. And stay alive…’ read the caption.

In the picture, her stoma bag was clearly visible against her hip, as she held the hose and corresponding pouch.

The comments below Emin’s posts were full of love and support for the artist, with many hailing her as an inspiration.

Emin was joined by her friends as she enjoyed the beach day (Picture: @traceyeminstudio, Instagram)

‘You are quite an inspiration… a human pushing against it and wow, your art,’ wrote user @robertbentart.

‘So much life in your eyes, can’t fake that kind of contentment. The honesty of your posts is everything, you deserve happiness,’ commented @kit_noir_studio.

‘HERO! Thank you for raising awareness for those of us whose bodies won’t behave,’ said @wildlingpriestess.

‘I completely get what you mean. I’m a breast cancer patient and student at the RCA. I love those moments where I feel really alive. And it usually takes something like icy cold waters and a beach!’ added @daisyattherca.

‘Cold water swimming is the best kept secret. You are an inspiration, sending you love and respect,’ said @jonniewalker65.

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