Tacita Dean on witnessing Ceal Floyer's final work of art: 'She gave death the middle finger'

British conceptual artist Ceal Floyer passed away in Berlin recently, leaving behind a legacy of unflinching courage and artistic brilliance. Her work defied convention, existing only in the ephemeral space between idea and experience. Despite being diagnosed with a brain tumour for 23 years, she continued to push boundaries, incorporating her medical condition into her practice.

Floyer's fearless approach to art was both captivating and daunting. She laid bare her life, with every work serving as a testament to her unyielding spirit. Her art transcended the physical realm, becoming an expression of her very being. The fact that her surgeon took a keen interest in her art speaks volumes about its significance.

One of Floyer's last works has left an indelible mark on those who witnessed it. In her final days, as she lay confined to a hospital bed, she became increasingly inaudible. Yet, when she finally spoke, her words were laced with defiance and courage. As the medical team administered morphine, Floyer's gaze shifted towards the wooden crucifix on the wall.

In an audacious gesture that has been described as "unambiguous, audacious and courageous", Ceal gave death the middle finger, as if challenging its very presence in her life. The reaction of those present was telling - shock, awe, and admiration. Floyer's feline smile seemed to radiate pleasure, knowing she had taken control one last time.

This final act is a testament to Ceal Floyer's unwavering artistic vision and unshakeable resolve. As an artist who lived life on her own terms, she left behind a body of work that continues to inspire and provoke.
 
😱 I'm still trying to process the story about Ceal Floyer's final act... it's like, what even is art if not a reflection of the human experience? πŸŽ¨πŸ’€ The fact that she managed to squeeze out this defiant message from her hospital bed when death was staring her in the face is just mind-blowing. I mean, who needs a plan B when you've got a brain tumour and 23 years on your back, right? πŸ’ͺ🏽 It's like Ceal Floyer said life, "no matter what" - and that's something we can all learn from. I'm still in awe of her courage and determination to create until the very end... she was literally living proof that art is about being unapologetically yourself 🌟
 
🀯 OMG can you even imagine having a brain tumor for 23 years & still managing to create art like Ceal Floyer was doing?! She's literally an icon 🌟 I love how her art wasn't just about aesthetics but also about pushing boundaries & living life on your own terms. Her last act is seriously the most defiant thing ever - giving death a middle finger while she's hooked up to morphine πŸ˜‚ it's like, hello life! πŸ’–
 
🀯🎨 that woman was one intense person... i mean, 23 yrs with a brain tumour & still creating art like it didn't matter πŸ™Œ Floyer's courage is inspiring, no doubt about it πŸ’ͺ her ability to turn death into a middle finger moment? πŸš«πŸ’£ respect. and can we talk about how her medical team was so caught up in her art? 🀝 that surgeon dude was definitely influenced by her vibe 😎
 
omg what can u say about Ceal Floyer 🀯😲 she was literally a force of nature πŸ’₯ i mean, 23 years with a brain tumour and still pushing the boundaries of art? πŸ’ͺ her art is so not just about looking pretty it's about taking risks and being unapologetically yourself πŸ’β€β™€οΈ i love how she incorporated her medical condition into her practice, it's like she was saying "don't care what u think" πŸ™…β€β™€οΈ that final act at the hospital? πŸ˜‚πŸ˜± i'm getting chills just thinking about it
 
Wow 🀯 the way she refused to back down even in the face of death is truly inspiring πŸ’ͺ🏽 Floyer's art was all about living life unapologetically, and her final act is a masterclass in defiance 😎. I mean, who gives the middle finger to mortality? That takes guts πŸ’₯!
 
omg did you know that i just tried the new matcha latte at starbucks and it's literally the most comforting drink ever? like, i was having a stressful day and then i took a sip and suddenly everything felt alright πŸ€— anyway, back to ceal floyer... her art is soooo thought-provoking. i mean, have you seen any of her work in person? it's like she's speaking straight to your soul πŸ’«
 
omg 😱 can u believe that? she was literally living with cancer for 23 yrs and still managed to create this iconic art 🀯 and that final act at the hospital... wow! giving death the finger like, what's next?! πŸ’β€β™€οΈ i mean, it's not every day you see someone take control of their own life like that. ceal floyer was a total boss πŸ€΄β€β™€οΈ i'm so inspired by her bravery and creativity. we need more people like her in this world πŸ’–
 
😱 I'm still in shock after hearing about Ceal Floyer's passing 🀯 Her art was never just about the visual, it was like a punch to the gut – you couldn't help but be moved by her fearlessness πŸ’₯ And that final act at the hospital bed? πŸ™Œ I mean, giving death the finger in your final moments is some next-level defiance 😎 It's no wonder people are still talking about her after all these years. As a fan of her work, it's both heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring to see someone who lived life on their own terms leave such an indelible mark 🌟
 
I'm still in shock about Ceal Floyer's passing, but what struck me the most is how her art was this beautiful reflection of her inner strength πŸ’ͺ. I mean, 23 years with a brain tumour? That's just insane, yet she used that as fuel to create something so unapologetically herself 🀯. And that final act... wow, giving death the middle finger? It's like she was saying, "I'm not going down without a fight" πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. Her legacy is an inspiration, and I'm so grateful we got to witness her artistry in action 🎨.
 
πŸŒŸπŸ’– Ceal Floyer was a total rebel πŸ’β€β™€οΈπŸ’₯! I mean, 23 years with a brain tumour and still creating like crazy 🎨πŸ’ͺ? That's dedication πŸ’―! And when she finally went out on that fiery note πŸ”₯, it was like, totally her thing 😜. Giving death the middle finger πŸ‘‹ was so bold, I'm dying over here πŸ’€πŸ˜‚. Her art is more than just a bunch of paintings or sculptures – it's a way to show the world who's boss πŸ’β€β™€οΈπŸ’ͺ. We can all learn from Ceal Floyer's fearless attitude πŸ™Œ. Rest in peace, legend! πŸ’”πŸ‘»
 
Ugh, I'm getting chills thinking about that wooden crucifix moment πŸ˜²πŸ‘€... like how do you even plan something like that in a hospital setting? 🀯 It's both fascinating and terrifying at the same time. The way she just looked death right in the eye and gave it a middle finger is just wow, but also kinda disturbing πŸ€ͺ. I mean, as an artist, she definitely gets points for being bold and unapologetic, but what if that morphine kick-in was just a cruel twist of fate? 😬 Anyways, Ceal Floyer's legacy lives on, and I'm both inspired and intimidated by her artistic courage πŸ’ͺ🏽😲.
 
omg what a total legend Ceal Floyer was 🀯 her art is literally the definition of fearlessness I mean the fact that she made death look like a joke in her final moments is just mindblowing πŸ’€πŸ‘ can u imagine being so confident in your own mortality that you're like "peace out" to life itself? πŸ˜‚ and that surgeon taking note of her art is even more proof that it's not just some niche thing, it's HUGE πŸš€ anyway Ceal Floyer I'm so sorry we lost you but at least we got this epic last act as a reminder of your awesomeness πŸ’–
 
😱 I'm still trying to process the courage it took from Ceal Floyer to give death the middle finger right before she passed away πŸ’β€β™€οΈπŸ‘Š. That wooden crucifix on the wall must've been shaking after her defiant gaze 🀯. It's not just her art that's impactful, it's her life and everything she stood for πŸ’–. I'm so grateful to have witnessed artists like Ceal Floyer who aren't afraid to live life on their own terms 🌟. Her legacy will continue to inspire and provoke new generations of artists and anyone who dares to challenge the status quo πŸ”₯🎨.
 
just saw this news about ceal floyer i'm completely blown away by her bravery 🀯 like, the fact that she defied death itself with that final gesture is just incredible πŸ’€ and can we talk about how she turned something as dark as a brain tumour into a work of art? it's truly inspiring to see someone who refused to be held back by their circumstances ✨ floyer's legacy will live on through her art and the countless people she inspired during her lifetime 🌟 what a way to go out, if you ask me 😎
 
I'm not gonna lie, I think it's pretty messed up that the medical team was paying attention to her art. Like, isn't that just using someone's creativity for your own gain? It sounds like they were so invested in her process, but also kinda exploiting it for their own validation. And what's with the surgeon being into her art? Did they really think she'd be some kind of art inspiration or something? πŸ€¦β€β™‚οΈ
 
man... just thinking about Ceal Floyer's last act gives me chills πŸ₯ΆπŸ‘Š the way she defied death and gave it a middle finger is just so bold and unapologetic. i mean, can you imagine being in that hospital bed and still having the energy to send a message like that? it's like her art was always about challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries... and even when faced with mortality, she refused to back down πŸ’₯. anyway, i'm so grateful that we get to see her legacy live on through her incredible body of work πŸŽ¨πŸ’–
 
omg what a sad news πŸ€• ceal floyer was like my ultimate inspiration i had no idea about her struggles with brain tumour for 23 years 😱 it's amazing how art can transcend physical boundaries and just be this raw expression of the human spirit πŸ’– that last work she did sounds like something out of a movie - giving death the middle finger in hospital bed is just insane πŸ˜‚πŸ’ͺ i'm gonna go listen to her music now 🎢
 
🀯 Can you imagine being in a hospital bed with a morphine pump attached to your arm and still finding the strength to make a bold statement like Ceal Floyer did? It's mind-blowing to think about how much courage it took for her to give death that middle finger right before she left this world πŸ’β€β™€οΈπŸ‘Š. Her art was never just about creating something beautiful, but also about taking control of your own narrative, even in the darkest moments of life. It's a powerful reminder that our experiences and struggles can be catalysts for creativity and growth πŸŽ¨πŸ’–.
 
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