Exit 10: Inquest into the Death of Susannah Lynn Thorne

Abstract

At 10.15 on the morning of Tuesday 22 July 2014, this artist and research candidate was perfunctorily informed, “You have breast cancer.” Delivery of this unwelcome news brought with it a new role, and one for which the artist was ill prepared, that of cancer patient. This research investigates what happened next.

Utilising the documentary framework characteristic of an official coroner’s report, Exit 10: Inquest into the Death of Susannah Lynn Thorne presents evidence surrounding the diagnosis, disappearance and assumed demise of the artist of that name. Methodology for this research incorporates an extensive coroner’s report carried out by NSW State Coroner Samuel L Taylor, and artworks presented as vital evidence. This enquiry commences with a social history of the artist, and traverses illness, trauma and creative responses to cancer. Testimony from persons closely affiliated with the artist is incorporated, and includes significant insight into interpretation of the artist’s studio provided by expert witnesses from within UNSW academics and practitioners.

As part of this enquiry the artist’s studio as viewed by the Coroner at the time of her presumed demise and originally located at UNSW Art & Design, will be partially recreated in the search for clues indicative of the psychological and physical state at the time of her disappearance. The condition of the studio suggests a life inexplicably interrupted, which is further indicated by the presence of unfinished works. Artworks and other significant artefacts exhumed from this space are examined to ascertain the artist’s condition at the time of her demise.

The Coroner stated in his report that the place and manner of demise of Susannah Lynn Thorne were unascertainable. All that remains is to decipher what is fact and what is concocted in this often conflicting and potentially treacherous narrative. On thorough examination of the extensive evidence and after unravelling any covert clues I invite you to draw your own conclusion.