Art with a Heart

Women who have survived breast cancer or have had preventative surgery have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to model for their own life drawing as part of a project set up by Genesis Breast Cancer charity and Argentinean artist Rosana Ibarrola, The Art of Genesis.

Earlier this year Genesis advertised in the Manchester Evening News for volunteers to get involved and the response was overwhelming.

They eventually had to narrow it down to the first 15 women who volunteered, each one of whom spent a day posing for Rosana in her Didsbury studio.

The finished artwork goes on show this October at The Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Back in July I was lucky enough to have a sneak preview of what would be going on display and meet the artist behind the project.

Rosana Ibarrola moved to the UK from Argentina 12 years ago. She set up home with her husband Paul in Didsbury, where Rosana has been a full-time figurative artist for the past eight years.

Pulling up to her south Manchester studio I was intrigued what she’d be like, as artists often have a reputation for being fiery and serious.

I needn’t have worried, because as soon as she opened the door her South American charm shone through along with a refreshing down-to-earth character, and it wasn’t long before we were sitting having a coffee, chatting like old friends.

“I would have painted all the women who got in touch, if it had been possible, but the deadline was so short,” admitted Rosanna.

Since dreaming up the idea in March, she has had just seven months to get the first set of paintings finished for the launch of The Art of Genesis. Despite this there’s an air of calm about what she has to undertake and it’s clear it’s a project she is very passionate about.

“It’s a great way to help the charity and raise money for such a fantastic cause,” she said. “If you are going to do something for charity, you want to do it the best you can – the responsibility is enormous. What Genesis does is amazing.”

One in 10 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and the Genesis Appeal is dedicated to the prevention of the disease and creating a future without it.

Already it has raised money to help to fund the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Centre, (The Nightingale Centre), which is Europe's first purpose-built centre of its kind.

The £14million state-of-the-art project brings together internationally recognised medical experts and houses pioneering work into diagnosis, education and research.

“One thing I have learnt from the women I’ve painted, is that they have a total devotion for the care they’ve received,” Rosana explained.

“They all praised their surgeons and nurses – positive feedback like that about the NHS is something you don’t often hear.”

She adds: “One of the main reasons I think there was so much interest from women to take part is they wanted to say ‘I am one of those who battled with cancer, was incredibly ill, but now I have my body back, my confidence back. I have a second chance to live life at the full and want to do that.’”

The chosen models come from a wide range of backgrounds, varying in their occupations; among them are a mum and housewife, a magazine editor, policewoman, nurse, travel consultant, and a university student.
 
You can see in her eyes when she talks about them that there’s been a definite bond built between artist and muse: “I wish I could tell you every single story these 15 women have shared with me. There were some very intense hours in which I needed to know about them, in particular their history with the disease. It was very moving but also liberating for those taking part and I got a fabulous positive energy from them.”

Most of the women posed naked – a daunting prospect for anyone to undertake, especially as they were novices at modelling.

“I did say to all of them they didn’t have to be totally nude. The important thing was that the portrait was about them, telling their story.”

Rosana has exhibited at galleries both in Argentina and throughout the UK and currently has a collection on show at Novus Contemporary Art Gallery in Manchester, and Fiumano Fine Art in London.

As she led me through to her atelier to see some of the paintings first hand she continued:
“Very few of us will have seen a picture of ourselves nude. Normally, when you see yourself, maybe in the mirror coming out of the shower, you can be very critical of what you see staring back, but when somebody else shows you how they see you, it’s totally different. They asked me ‘Do I really look like that?’ They were able to see just how good they actually look, which was a really uplifting feeling for them.”

Seeing the artwork myself, I was astonished at how easy it was to absorb the women’s total strength and personality, despite the fact many of the pieces were yet to be finished.

Rosana stresses this was one of the main reasons for the exhibition: “It’s the representation of women being in control of their bodies and their health. Cancer breaks families apart, smashes relationships and is a heavy test. When you come out on the other side you feel renovated, renewed, stronger and more positive than before. This is what we wanted to show.”

The Art of Genesis will be going on tour in galleries around the county after its north west debut. Genesis hopes as many people as possible will get to see them before the collection is sold, at the end of October 2010, with half the proceeds going to the charity.

To view Rosana Ibarrola's beautiful artwork visit www.rosanaibarrola.co.uk
For more information about the Genesis Appeal call 0161 291 4400, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it