Breathless in Ealing

Art exhibition to raise money for cancer charity

An Ealing woman is joining forces with fellow artists in a bid to raise money for Imperial College Healthcare Charity by holding a special art exhibition.

Denise Franklin and six other contemporary artists will be holding the exhibition called ‘Breathless’ at the PM Gallery and House in Mattock Lane in Ealing from 20 September until 5 October 2013.

40% of sales made during this period will go to Imperial College Healthcare Charity, which raises funds for clinical research and healthcare studies that aim to improve the care given to patients at the five London hospitals that make up Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The money raised by this event will go to the Breast Care Unit at Charing Cross Hospital.

Denise was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2012 and was a patient of the breast care services at Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith for her treatment. Her treatment ended in April 2013. She says: “I had a difficult time with the chemotherapy and spent a lot of time at Charing Cross Hospital as a result. During one of my stays in the ward I began to think of a way to do something for the trust’s charity to support the fight against cancer. As I am an artist I thought an art exhibition would be a good idea to help raise funds. I was just so impressed by the care and support I received at Charing Cross Hospital. I witnessed hard work, compassion, support and dedication by all the staff around the hospital, in clinics, wards and radiology departments, they were all really wonderful. I finished my treatment in April of this year.”

The artist’s exhibition proposal was accepted by the gallery earlier in the summer, and Denise swiftly set about making it into a reality. All works on display are for sale, and feature a diverse range of styles including painting, collage and ceramics. Denise says: “Both the gallery and Ealing Council have been kind enough to waive their fee for the use of the space and the other artists are generously donating 40% of their sales to the charity as well. There are seven artists showing paintings, ceramics and mixed media work, all of whom are keen to be involved in helping out such a good cause.”

Denise, who has a MA in Fine Art specialising in painting, is known for her paintings of boats, though her cancer has shifted her focus. “Recently I have been concentrating my work on landscapes and seascapes, hoping to evoke a sense of calm and peace for myself and the viewer. I was lost when I was unable to work, though organising the event has helped with my recovery. It’s the first time I have done something like this and it’s been a great help for me. Focusing my efforts on the event has kept me busy and my mind off my cancer. It means a great deal to me and I really hope the exhibition raises a lot of money for the charity.”

The other artists on display include Kay Bathke and Marco Crivello who specialise in conceptual landscapes and seascapes, Toby Messer who uses line, form and colour to create an ambiguous quality to his work and Elizabeth Rollin-Scott whose paintings and spiritual ceramics are inspired by religious forms. Ursula Claxton explores reflections of light and colour within her beautifully crafted and highly intricate collages of fine papers,and inventive wall pieces by Sally Everett question traditional perceptions of sculpture.

The Studio Gallery at PM Gallery & House.  
Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing, London, W5 5EQ.

The gallery is open 1 to 5pm Tuesday to Friday, and 11am to 5pm on Saturdays. The nearest station is Ealing Broadway.

11th September 2013