Breast cancer survivor’s charity artwork exhibition

Round & About

Thatcham artist Sue Lee’s one month residency will raise funds for Newbury Cancer Care

Sue Lee rediscovered her passion for painting during her battle with breast cancer and now has a one-month residency at Howarth’s Gallery in Newbury, starting on Monday 15^th September.

Every single penny from sales will go directly to Newbury Cancer Care, a charity providing practical support to local people living with cancer and life-threatening illnesses.

Sue was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer after a routine check that she was invited to earlier than normal; while she could have put it off for another month or two, she decided to go ahead and book in to get it out of the way. The diagnosis was shattering, and being an aggressive type of breast cancer, she received equally aggressive treatment, but she was incredibly thankful that she had found out early – and for the care she received.

It was during Sue’s treatment that she began painting again, creating vibrant hand-drawn, handpainted, mandala-style pieces inspired by nature and different cultures. It was a creative escape from the mental and physical toll of the illness, but also the chemotherapy.

Sue said: “I’ve always been drawn to bright colours – whether it’s in clothing, home décor, my nails, or hair accessories – I had lots of different coloured headscarves during my chemo journey.

“When I started painting, I used those colours deliberately. They lifted me when I was at my lowest, and I wanted to create work that could do the same for others. These pieces are about bringing joy and brightness into your home, even when life feels dark and heavy.”

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, with nearly 56,000 people diagnosed each year and around one in two patients reporting anxiety or depression during treatment. Local services like Newbury Cancer Care play a vital role, offering free hospital transport for patients across West Berkshire, also helping with counselling, complementary therapies, coffee mornings for escapism, and respite care for families –

Claire Howarth, fellow artist, and the owner of Howarth’s Gallery, added: “Sue’s work is bold, intricate and full of joy. It’s incredibly moving to see how her journey with cancer has been transformed into something so positive. We are very proud to host her first residency and to help raise funds for a cause that touches so many families locally – bigger charities are doing fantastic work, but we should never forget the smaller ones who are grafting at ground-level.”

Pieces will be available from £45, with all proceeds donated to Newbury Cancer Care. The gallery will be open from 10am–2pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am–1pm Friday to view and purchase the art. Visits outside of these hours can be arranged by contacting Claire Howarth at: claire@howarthsgallery.co.uk

Digital viewings can also be facilitated, where pieces can be purchased over the phone, and shipped to another location.