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Siva Kaneswaran Fronts Glioblastoma ‘Memory Bank’ Installation Set for Public Debut in Oxford

Co-created with glioblastoma patients alongside families, the multi-sensory piece preserves recorded memories for a public showing in Oxford.

Overview

  • The Wanted singer is leading GenesisCare UK's awareness campaign in memory of bandmate Tom Parker, who died of glioblastoma in 2022.
  • The Memory Bank installation will be displayed at Oxford’s Westgate shopping centre before moving to GenesisCare’s Littlemore centre.
  • The artwork presents an abstract functional MRI image that conceals messages from patients, which become visible under ultraviolet light.
  • Its UV elements nod to 5‑ALA–guided surgery that makes tumour tissue fluoresce, a symbolic link to techniques used to help protect healthy brain tissue.
  • Kaneswaran says the project emphasizes hope and valuing moments after diagnosis, and he contributed recorded memories of Parker for the piece.