A new exhibition will use art to explore the lives of people who have been affected by breast cancer, as either a patient, relative, friend or caregiver.
'Breast Cancer and Me' will take place at the Angear Visitor Centre (adjacent to the Djanogly Gallery) at Lakeside Arts on University Park between the 8-30 October - during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Carol Pairaudeau, the administrator of the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre (NBCRC) at the University of Nottingham, has curated the exhibition. Carol is also a former breast cancer patient and professional artist.
Carol Pairaudeau, the administrator of the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre (NBCRC) at the University of Nottingham, has curated the exhibition. Carol is also a former breast cancer patient and professional artist.
The exhibition aims to raise awareness of breast cancer through imaginative, sensitive and thought-provoking pieces. Drawing on personal experience, 15 artists have been invited to take part and present their experiences of breast cancer through a range of visual pieces.
The exhibition will allow visitors to look at breast cancer through creative expression, bringing to attention individual stories of lives affected and changed by breast cancer.
The NBCRC at the University brings together a large team of breast cancer researchers and clinicians, to encourage collaboration in investigating breast cancer. Nottingham has an international reputation for its research into breast cancer with many seminal discoveries now used globally in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer including the Nottingham Grading System and the Nottingham Prognostic Index. Current research continues to provide exciting data, improving understanding of breast cancer, and delivering novel diagnostics and therapies.
Each year, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the NBCRC hosts a public event to raise awareness of the disease and to let people know about the breast cancer research currently being conducted at the University. This year that event is the Breast Cancer and Me exhibition.
Carol Pairaudeau said: "I am looking forward to the opening of Breast Cancer and Me, and showcasing this amazing artwork to the public. During the pandemic, our NBCRC awareness events moved online and I offered to deliver a seminar to share the breast cancer art that I had created a few years ago, during my MA Art & Design. My talk was well received and I made new connections with other artists who had also made work about their breast cancer experiences. The idea to host an awareness event centered on an art exhibition began to evolve."
Amy Dury is a Brighton-based artist and former breast cancer patient, who appeared on Sky's Portrait Artist of the Year 2021. Amy has painted the portraits of a number of women who have been through breast cancer and her work will feature in the upcoming exhibition. She said: "The experience of having breast cancer is life-changing. My portraits show women who have come through with new determination to value life and make it matter. I hope that they show the strength and positivity that can be found in the challenge breast cancer presents."
Alongside the exhibition, two public talks will take place during October, where artists will share their stories behind their creative projects:
- Jennifer Willis – Seen to be Heard will take place at 11am on Saturday 8 October, Angear Visitor Centre (adjacent to the Djanogly Gallery), Lakeside Arts, University Park
Jennifer is an award-winning photographer from Belfast. Her recent body of work Seen to be Heard is a remarkable series of portraits of 16 women living with secondary breast cancer in Northern Ireland. Selected examples from this wider body of work will be on display as part of the Breast Cancer and Me exhibition.
- Diane Leopard – Letting photographs tell their stories , 2pm Wednesday 12 October, Angear Visitor Centre (adjacent to the Djanogly Gallery), Lakeside Arts, University Park
Diane is a clinical complementary therapist, living in Stoke-on-Trent. Focus on Emotions is a series of non-clinical photographs taken by Diane to reflect on her personal cancer journey. She has since delivered this illustrated talk to help others understand and appreciate the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis.
The Breast Cancer and Me exhibition will be formally launched at a private view on Friday 7 October between 6.30 and 8.30pm where some of the artists will be attending with members of the NBCRC.
Deputy Director of NBCRC, Dr Andy Green said "We are incredibly grateful to all the artists who have generously contributed to this very emotive exhibition sharing their personal experiences of breast cancer. Incidence rates for breast cancer are expected to rise 2% in the next 12 years and there continues to be a real need to continue our research and increase awareness of breast cancer."
