Shamim’s artwork raises cash for The Christie’s art room
A HEATON Mersey cancer-fighter has sold one of her first paintings to help support The Christie.
Shamim Chaudhry, who is being treated for ovarian cancer, has been attending the art room at The Christie since last December.
Based at its main site in Withington, the art room delivers art sessions for patients, carers, staff and volunteers, several times a week.
Led by artist in residence, Pat Mountford, who is funded by The Christie charity, the aim of the classes is to provide a space to explore creativity away from the daily pressures of life, including living with cancer.
Shamim wanted to thank The Christie and the art room, so she arranged for The Manchester Islamic Centre to auction a painting she had been working on for several months.
The auction, which took place during Ramadhan, raised £392.71 for The Christie with Shamim’s painting of a mosque.
Shamim said: “I would never have believed that when I came to The Christie I would be painting, as I had never done anything creative before.
“From the beginning I have felt sheer joy from coming to the art classes. It’s a place where I feel safe at a time when I have been at my most vulnerable. When I’m in the art room I’m totally absorbed in the painting, forgetting about the cancer and all it entails. The class makes me feel emotionally supported and nurtured. It’s not about the art, and yet it’s everything about the art.
“I was delighted to be able to help support ovarian cancer research and the art room. I am very grateful to everyone at The Manchester Islamic Centre for their help in arranging this as they have been very keen to support the excellent work at The Christie.”
Pat added: “I believe every hospital should have an art room. When a patient walks through the doors, they can often be dealing with lots of difficult situations beside their illness. This can leave them feeling frightened, very vulnerable and lacking in confidence. Sitting in the art room and meeting people in a similar situation, forgetting about everything else, doing something creative that you didn’t know you could do, is incredibly empowering.
“The art room is a safe space where patients can take back some control of their life at a time where they may feel they’ve lost so much.
“We wouldn’t be able to provide extra services without the support of our fundraisers and are very appreciative of Shamim and The Manchester Islamic Centre for this important contribution.”