PNCA features powerful art by cancer survivors

The second edition of the Connecting Dots Series exhibition, curated by miniature artist and cancer survivor Fatima Salman, concluded on Wednesday at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA).

Inaugurated by renowned artist and former Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Jamal Shah, the exhibition featured the works of nine cancer survivor visual artists, highlighting their journeys through powerful artwork. Jamal Shah praised the artists, saying, "These wonderful human beings have contributed to life and invested in their journeys, inspiring many."

The exhibition, inspired by Fatima Salman's battle with cancer in 2019, included works by Sehar Ansari, Mariah Lookman, Gulnaz Ayaz, Shirin Gheba Najib, Maham Imran, Ambreen Rashid Khan, Srosh Anwar and Nafisa Athar.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Srosh Anwar, who works as a communications professional and photographer in the development sector, said that storytelling is at the heart of everything she does, whether through writing, video, photography, or design.

"Photography is my preferred medium. I mainly use documentary and ethnographic approaches in my work. For this series, I experimented with different genres of photography, digital editing and mixed media."

Anwar added that it was very challenging to express feelings in photography because photography is two-dimensional. "I always worked as a documentary photographer and this was the first time I came up with some personal work as a cancer survivor. I found it challenging but extremely cathartic."

A special video tribute honoured artists who lost their lives to cancer, and a book titled My Cancer Journey by Shirin Gheba Najib was also launched during the event. In the book, Najib described her journey of fighting cancer, her emotional traumas, and her determination and struggle towards recovery.

The first instalment of Connecting Dots was held in January 2024 at the Shakir Ali Museum, Lahore.