Local artists donate work to cancer clinic

Over 30 locally acclaimed artists have come together to donate their work to a new state of the art walk-in diagnostic cancer clinic at Belfast City Hospital.

The clinic is part of a million pound campaign by the Men Against Cancer (MAC) charity to establish Ireland’s first specialised clinic for men’s cancers.

Over 40 works of art were donated to the clinic, including paintings, prints and ceramic pieces by artists living and working in Northern Ireland, for yesterday’s official opening.

Naomi Fitzpatrick, Art Consultant for MAC and curator of the permanent collection, said: “The response has been phenomenal and both the charity and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of local artists. I am committed to the belief that the visual arts not only enhance the physical environment but also contributes to the healing process and it is hoped that this art collection will encourage a sense of well being.”

Lesley Delaney, Head of Corporate Communications, Bank of Ireland, sponsors of the event, added: “‘Men Against Cancer’ set out with a very clear target to establish a state-of-the-art, walk-in diagnostic clinic at Belfast City Hospital for men’s cancers as well as an associated research programme into new ways of treating prostate cancer. I am delighted that this dream has now become a reality.”

Amongst the many contributing artists are painters Richard Croft and Ray Duncan, ceramic artist Diane McCormick, printmaker/painter Jim Allen and his artist wife Sophie Aghajanian, celebrated fine artist Colin Davidson, Robert Ellison, Susan Lavery, Janet Preston, Kate and David Baker, Bill Penney, Dr Diana Hadden, Michael Rice, Stuart Cairns and textile artist Helen Kerr.

(MB/SP)