Work of 139 artists to help raise funds for cancer patients

One humanitarian cause and 139 artists have given shape to an exhibition that doubles up as a platform for art lovers. In its seventh year now, the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), in association with Cymroza Art Gallery, holds its annual art exhibition ‘Colours of Life’ to donate towards the ‘Children’s Education Fund’ to support the education of childhood cancer patients. And this year’s collection of artists include Ajay De, Akbar Padamsee, Arzan Khambatta, Bina Aziz, Brinda Chudasama Miller, Lalitha Lajmi, Suhas Roy, Reena Kallat, Jehangir Sabavala and Jayasri Burman, among others.

Artist Naina Kanodia says, “We have paintings of the masters as well as promising newcomers, so there is a wide spectrum of work to see and choose from in terms of the images displayed and the prices.”

Curator Piali Syam says, “Having curated the show for the last few years I have been able to comprehend the buyer’s need and works that interest them. Also, there are a lot of skilled artists across India who have not had much exposure. I scout around for such artists and some of the upcoming artists we’ve included are Ananya Banerjee, Ananta Mandal, Jagannath Paul, Sujit Roy Barman, among others.”

Piali informs that there’s no common theme running through the collection. She believes that it should offer variety in media and subject to attract a broader spectrum of buyers. The title Colours of Life, Piali says, has a special meaning too. “We work with cancer patients and one gets to see the various facets of life… there is pain, trauma, anxiety, fear and then there is hope, clarity, relief, joy, which relate to the various shades of life and hence the title seemed apt,” she explains.

Artist Lalitha Lajmi says, “I have long been associated with CPAA, thanks to this exhibition. I strongly feel it is our duty to give back to our country in a small way through our work.”