Help me create an artistic and educational project about trees – in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis.
Hello
My name is Eva-Kajsa Nordenborg, living in Stockholm, Sweden, and I am an artist, educator and cultural guide.
The past period has been a life-changing time — I have gone through a cancer diagnosis, been told that I have aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis, undergone a major operation to remove tumors, followed by a time of trying to recover while at the same time preparing for planned chemotherapy treatments that were scheduled to last throughout the autumn of 2025.
The week before the scheduled treatments to stop the spread of the cancer were to begin, I received a call from the oncologist who told me that my unusual cancer had an even more unusual gene mutation, "POLE" (which was discovered through a new type of analysis method, molecular analysis) with a much, much better prognosis than it had first appeared!
And based on very recently introduced guidelines in cancer care regarding that mutation, all the chemotherapy treatments and doctor’s appointments that had been planned for the autumn were suddenly cancelled!
The treatments are not needed when the tumor has been surgically removed and the risk of spreading is low, say the new findings! Which, of course, I am deeply grateful for WHAT?!
Apparently, I am the first in Sweden with this diagnosis, and knowledge within healthcare—except for a few experts—has so far been practically non-existent, leaving me with many questions.
After the surgery, I have had several complications due to previous surgery and so on, which have been troublesome.
I hope that I can trust this new diagnosis, though I don’t really yet. The risk of recurrence always exists; cancer is a menace.
Shoutout to all cancer fighters out there ❤️
But still, what a relief to finally be rid of all the problems that the cancer tumor had been causing for a long time before the operation!
But both my body and soul are throughly tired after this existential crisis and rollercoaster in “survival mode”, in long mental state between life and death, with various complications and my finances are very very strained from sick leave, medication costs, all cancelled jobs, patient fees, etc.
Having worked a great deal throughout my professional life, I still found myself outside the norms of the insurance system in this situation, which resulted in my sickness compensation being low compared to the work I had planned to do when I went on sick leave.
I would like to use this transformative, existential journey for something healing, meaningful, and shareable with others.
As an artist, craftsperson, educator, and guide, I have tried (as best I can) to convey, deepen, and beautify.
And now I have an idea—a vision… or rather, one I’ve had for a long time, but now I want to try to make it reality.
I dream of having a month or so (or longer?) to work on an artistic and educational project about TREES –
A project exploring the significance of trees for us humans, for the planet, and for all life on Earth
A project about the vital trees around us—trees that many people still don’t really know.
And what we don’t know, we can’t truly understand or protect in the right way.
The name of the project is:
“Tree of Life – Arbor Vitalis: A Meeting Between People and Trees.”
Depending on resources and energy, the project will include:
• an educational art exhibition (with free admission)
• tree walks in the suburbs and in the forest
• posts and short videos on social media related to the project
• perhaps a ceremony or celebration in honor of the trees?
• if resources allow, a small printed booklet or text about trees to share and give away
Everything will revolve around the theme of TREES with the hope that the project will help increase knowledge and appreciation for our vital and magnificent trees.
My wish is that it will become an inspiring and rewarding experience for those who visit the exhibition, join a tree walk, or watch a short film.
I want the exhibition itself to take place in my neighborhood, Skarpnäck, Sweden, and surrounding areas, but also to be transportable—so that it can later be shown in other places, suburbs, or cities.
I’ve spent much of my professional life creating art together with people with intellectual disabilities, and naturally, I want to include this group in parts of the project as well.
In recent years, I have mainly worked as an artistic instructor—curating exhibitions together with my art groups, and creating craft and art events.
But now I want to build my own artistic exhibition.
Through this project, I can also continue to heal myself—by spending more time among trees and learning more about them.
To have the opportunity and the space to visit different places and forests, and to meet many trees.
My grandmother, Karin, taught me early about plants, trees, and the small beings of the forest :)
That knowledge is something I have tried to preserve and deepen throughout my life.
Key themes of the project:
The cultural history of trees, knowledge sharing, natural dyeing, folklore, biodiversity, photography, silver birches, earthy colors, community, recovery, connection with nature, accessibility, inclusion, zest for life.
To make this possible, I’m applying for about 35,000 SEK – enough to cover one month’s salary and part of the materials: large photo prints, fabrics, information signs, banners, venue rentals, etc.
If I receive less, I’ll adapt the scale accordingly.
If I receive more, I’ll expand and deepen the project—it could grow endlessly.
Would you like to support my recovery and at the same time contribute to the creation of an educational, sensory, and artistic exhibition about our precious trees?
If you wish and are able to support, I am deeply grateful for any contribution.
I’ve never done a fundraising campaign like this before for myself or my own projects, so it feels a bit unusual—and a little uncomfortable.
But I really want to make this exhibition happen.
I believe it could be a step forward in our essential connection with nature.
And it feels like it’s now or never.
It feels as though I’ve been given my life back (hopefully), and I want to make something special out of it—no matter what the future holds.
Timeline:
Start in 2025 when I have the energy and opportunity.
Exhibition during 2026/27.
What can grow from what is difficult?
Warm regards,
Eva-Kajsa Nordenborg
PS. I will document the process and invite those who wish to follow the project along the way. See here:
Read about my previous Tree Walks here (swedish):
See my (currently resting) art and craft work in screen printing here:
More about me, Eva-Kajsa Nordenborg:
● Art educator at Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan and the City of Stockholm; have curated many large and small exhibitions with participants from art groups in libraries, art salons, etc.
● Leading nature and culture walks since 2020, including in Södermalm and in southern Stockholm, both independently and for local heritage associations.
● Trained guide at Vadstena Folkhögskola with professional guidecertification from Sveguide.
● Small-scale entrepreneur since 1998 in arts, crafts, illustration, and cultural guiding.
● Textile artist and artisan using screen printing as my artistic technique.
● Trained craft educator.
● Craft instructor.
● Certified study circle leader within adult education.
● Local patriot.
● Global patriot.
● Tree lover.
● Mother.
● I keep my promises.
/ Eva-Kajsa
Organizer
