There was something incredibly poignant about seeing BOLD by photographer Caroline Sikkenk displayed within the walls of the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
For the Pink Ribbon Foundation, the BOLD project has always been about visibility, strength and humanity – celebrating women affected by breast cancer who have experienced hair loss through treatment, while challenging perceptions around beauty, identity and survivorship.
Bringing the exhibition into a hospital environment adds another layer entirely.
For many of the Scottish women featured in the portraits, the Western General is far more than an exhibition space. It is a place connected to diagnosis, treatment, appointments, uncertainty, resilience and hope. Some received treatment at the hospital, while others continue to walk its corridors today.
To see their portraits displayed proudly in the very environment where some of their most difficult moments were faced is both powerful and deeply moving.
BOLD does not shy away from the realities of cancer. Instead, it creates space for strength, vulnerability and connection to exist side by side. Within a clinical setting, that message feels more important than ever.
The Pink Ribbon Foundation would like to thank Jackie McRae, one of the women featured in the exhibition, for making the introduction that helped bring the project to the hospital. Thanks also go to Hans Clausen and the team at Tonic Arts and NHS Lothian Charity for their support in making the exhibition possible.
The Foundation is also grateful to Eastern Exhibition & Display for producing the exhibition panels on Dibond for the first time. Great care was taken to ensure exceptional image quality while meeting the fire safety and hygiene requirements necessary for a hospital environment.
Additional thanks go to the teams at Kimpton Charlotte Square and Caledonian Sleeper, whose support enabled members of the Pink Ribbon Foundation team to attend and assist with both the installation and launch of the exhibition in Edinburgh.
BOLD by Caroline Sikkenk is now on display at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, until 31 October 2026.
Photography by Vicki Watson.
