Art, design of 'Faces and Places' support breast cancer awareness

A painting by Bidemi Joseph and its design appropriation on cushions, at Alexis Galleries, Lagos.

When art and design return  to the same space, for the second time within a year, breast cancer awareness takes a lift in Lagos. Few months ago, paintings on canvas and its appropriated version for cushion and pillow thrilled art and  design enthusiasts at the maiden edition of Faces and Places.

Returning to the same space with eight artists, Faces and Places II opens on Saturday, October 20, showing till November 3, 2018 at Alexis Galleries, 282 Akin Olugbade Street, off Idowu Martins St, Victoria Island, Lagos, in support of battle against breast cancer. Olasukanmi Oyelusi, Afeez Adetunji, Bidemi Matthew Joseph, Seye Morakinyo, Darlington A Chukwumezie, Adedotun Fashina and Samuel Olayombo art artists whose works will be on display.    Joining the artists is designer Joanna Boer whose cushion and pillow derive their cover contents from paintings by six artists.

The exhibition, according to Alexis, will be officially opened by the first lady of Ondo State and founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.
The exhibition, Alexis explained, "will aim at creating awareness on cancer and educate people about the importance and value of early detection". Being one of the most active art galleries in Nigeria, currently, as regards regular exhibitions, Alexis insisted on its commitment to always discover and promote new talents as well as showcase the works of emerging and established artists.

On cancer awareness, the exhibition has a link to personal experience of Alexis's founder and co-curator. “Faces and Places II' is dedicated to my mother and other strong women in the world, who have actually fought cancer and those who were taken by cancer,” said Patty Chidiac-Mastrogiannis, curator at Alexis. “My mother had cancer at very late age of 75 and now she’s 81. She went through chemotherapy for one year and it affected her kidney, heart, ears and other parts of the body". Chidiac-Mastrogiannis recalled the effect of her mother's cancer on the family. "We saw her suffering as she went bald; words cannot describe the emotional trauma we (her children) went through".

The concept of painting being used as design content for cushions and pillows was "very successful" in the first exhibition, Boer enthused, hoping that "people will again love it". She recalled her business of using Nigerian contents such as slogans on the products, five years ago. And stepping up to what she described as "highest quality", art is obviously playing a huge factor in the brand

All the pieces will have the breast cancer foundation logo on them as limited editions, Chidiac-Mastrogiannis said. “As commitment to our corporate social responsibility, part of the proceeds from this exhibition will be donated to BRECAN." The exhibition, she assured, will be a yearly event “for people who survived and those suffering from cancer".

As she proudly disclosed that "this exhibition is dedicated to my mother and other strong women in the world who have fought and survived cancer, as well as those who couldn’t win the battle", Chidiac-Mastrogiannis hoped that "we will be able to make a difference with this exhibition".

Jointly curated by Empire Jane, the exhibition is sponsored by: Pepsi, Delta Airline, Amarula, Nederburg, Cobranet Internet Service Provider, Cool FM, Wazobia FM/TV, Chocolate Royal, The Avenue Suites, Art Café and The Homestores Limited.

“We are going to be collaborating, hopefully, with the Cancer Society and give part of the proceeds to them for research and awareness devotions", Alexis founder stressed. “Face and Places II' is an exhibition which is a beautiful touch to art that is connected mostly to women. The works are limited edition as the works have the cancer foundation logo, worldwide. Curated by two women to stress the point that it is all about women".