Mental health cancer charity Mind Over Cancer is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a special art auction bringing together original works by a selection of contemporary artists in support of young people living with cancer and their wider support networks.
The 5 Arts Auction, curated by the charity’s patron, artist and music producer Remi Rough, features one-off artworks donated by five artists, including Nick Frost, Erin Lawlor, Gary Stranger, Nicky Hirst and Remi Rough himself.
Known for his graffiti-inspired abstract works and large-scale murals, Rough has brought together artists working across portraiture, abstraction, typography and found-object practice for what marks the charity’s first major fundraising event since its launch.
The works will be auctioned during a special event at Woodbury House in London on 3rd June, while an artwork by Erin Lawlor ( see below) is already available through a silent auction running online via The Auction Collective until 5th June.
All proceeds from the sale will support Mind Over Cancer’s free mental health services for people diagnosed with cancer between birth and the age of 29, as well as support for family members, partners and friends also affected by a diagnosis.
Around 6,500 young people aged between 0 and 29 are diagnosed with cancer each year. Since launching five years ago, Mind Over Cancer has delivered more than 2,500 hours of wellbeing sessions and supported more than 400 people through one-to-one counselling and online support programmes.
Susie Shaw, Founder and Chief Executive of Mind Over Cancer, said:
“Reaching five years old is no mean feat for a small charity. During these five years we’ve had a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis but somehow, we’ve managed to keep going. We’re incredibly proud and lucky to hold this special event and have these amazing artists supporting us. Art can be a powerful way to express feelings and is used as a form of therapy, so it feels very serendipitous to have this fundraiser for us.”
Remi Rough added:
“It’s been a privilege to bring together this brilliant group of artists in aid of such a worthy cause. Art touches all our lives just like cancer does and it’s wonderful to turn what can be something so challenging and traumatic into something so positive.”
Bringing together artists from different disciplines and audiences, the 5 Arts Auction highlights the growing role creative communities can play beyond the gallery — using art not only as a cultural force but as a means of support, connection and care.
To bid for Erin Lawlor’s artwork bid via The Auction Collective. Bids close at 4PM on 5th June, and the successful bid will be contacted by The Auction Collective and Mind Over Cancer on 8th June. All proceeds will be donated to the charity. If interested in bidding on the artwork featured in the live auction event at Woodbury House on 3rd June, email contactus@mindovercancer.org.uk.
For further information on the charity, visit mindovercancer.org.uk
