Dame Tracey Emin's brother died while she was in hospital with "borderline sepsis and an acute attack of diverticulitis".

Taking to Instagram on Saturday (12.09.26), the 63-year-old artist revealed she spent eight days in hospital after falling ill and "suffering for weeks" with infections, and shared her "kind and gentle soul" sibling Alan passed away last week, noting she "was expecting it but not expecting it".

Tracey shared a shot of a plush grey cat sat atop a hospital monitoring machine, with the caption: "I have had the strangest time. Deeply sad events, some I can write about some I can't.

"My elder brother Alan died last week. I was expecting it but not expecting it. I know he is where he wants to be. I keep trying to tell myself the loss and sadness is mine. He is soaring high in a much better place.

"I loved my brother Alan very much he was a kind and gentle soul."

She continued: "I also spent the last eight days in hospital.

"I keep being unwell. This time boarder line sepsis and an acute attack of diverticulitis. I've been suffering for weeks on and off, one infection after another. It makes me so weak. (sic)"

Sepsis is a life-threatening illness where the body's extreme response to an infection causes inflammation, which can damage organs and tissues.

Diverticulitis is "inflammation of irregular bulging pouches in the wall of the large intestine", according to Mayo Clinic.

Tracey's health battle and the loss of Alan have taken an emotional toll on her.

She added in the caption: "Every bit of pain, every heartbreak feels like the heaviest weight trying to crush me.

This last couple of weeks I feel like I've been smashed with a sledge hammer. Broken, trampled,

"Cursed…. (sic)"

However, the experience has left Tracey determined to fight back and protect herself from more pain.

She said: "So I am going to get out my giant golden shield and breast plate. I'm going to polish them so bright that the whole world reflects.

Any hex that's thrown at me will go straight back. I'm ready…. (sic)"

Tracey concluded: "We live now in the cruelest of worlds.

"Alan was right to take his leave. I love you Alan.

"Rest in peace."

Fans rushed to the post's comments section to express their condolences and wish her a speedy recovery, as one penned: "Oh my goodness so much pain and suffering.

"Sending strength and healing bravest of women. (sic)"

A second supporter typed: "I'm sorry for your loss and the pain you're enduring. I hope you can draw on the love of those around you for extra strength and healing."

And a third follower wrote: "You are loved and may you be protected/healed from all that is ailing you. Stay strong."

In 2020, Tracey, who also has a twin brother named Paul, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer.

That year, she underwent many major operations, including the removal of her bladder, urethra, and lymph nodes, as well as parts of her intestine and vagina to stop the disease from spreading.

Tracey was fitted with a stoma, an opening in the abdomen that allows urine to be diverted out of the body and collected in a urostomy bag.