Following her cancer treatment, Tracey Emin claims that she is "a much better artist" and "a much better human being.".
She told a crowd on Thursday night at the Hay Festival, "I'm more alive than I've ever been.".
2020 saw Emin undergo major surgery after receiving a diagnosis of an aggressive form of bladder cancer.
She continued, "I've got so much more time because I'm not drinking. Three years ago, I gave up drinking, and it has also improved my work. ".
After giving up drinking, the unconventional artist said she was concerned her work "wouldn't be wild enough," but now she says it is "more wild, more free, [has] more energy.".
Emin, who is regarded as one of Britain's greatest living artists, claimed she had been experiencing a creative purple patch since getting better.
"I feel like I've emerged from the dark shadow that has followed me my entire life.
"My work now has this freedom and a whole new life. All the time, I'm painting. ".
"Earlier, I really messed up a lot of my life and did a lot of really stupid things," she continued. Fortunately, I am aware that I have another opportunity; it's almost as if someone has said, "She's not that bad, give her another chance!" I am really making the most of it. ".
When asked by a member of the audience if she had any advice for both her younger self and any young women beginning their careers in the arts today, Emin joked, "Smoking is the biggest regret of my whole life. and when I think about everything I've ever done, that's embarrassing!".
And in typical Emin fashion, she made one additional, unique suggestion that delighted the audience and earned her a standing ovation.
Emin opened an art school in Margate, her hometown, last year after having a show there the year before. The school has a kitchen to teach the community hospitality skills and offers affordable studio space for artists.
Margate is like a little creative universe all by itself, she said.
"In Margate, if you have the money, you can open an art school. In London, you can't just declare that. The community as a whole is thriving and supportive of one another.
"Everyone needs to be pulled up, and if you can help someone right now, you need to help them," the singer said of the strange, hopeless, dystopian times in which we find ourselves. And I don't mean it in a socialist-type way or a political way. It is benevolence toward others. ".
She expressed concern for the future of art in the curriculum of schools, which is currently mandated until the age of 14.
"Art has always been my savior. "Tracey would be dead by now if she didn't have art," my mother used to say. ' .
"I wasn't regarded as academically gifted, but I was bright in an artistic, visual sense.
"I want the government to understand that every piece of furniture, including every car, fork, and knife, has some sort of artwork or design on it.
. "
