Combating breast cancer with art

Project Maa is a social initiative to help breast cancer patients through fundraising. It was started by Mir Hosnay Tasnim, a student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, on International Women's Day this year. It features five paintings, dedicated to breast cancer patients. Tasnim plans to sell 50 copies of the five paintings, and donate 20 percent of the proceeds to Shanti Foundation for the treatment of breast cancer patients. The idea behind Project Maa came from her personal experiences.

After her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Tasnim had to go to Ahmed Medical Center regularly. At the hospital, she came across a locker set up by Shanti Foundation, an organisation that works with underprivileged women. The locker contained books for sale, and the money from the sales was meant to go towards breast cancer treatment.

"During the last six months of my visit to the hospital, not a single book was sold. I could tell this noble initiative was failing. I wanted to use my art to raise funds for women suffering from breast cancer," Tasnim shared. She has also announced an open call for artists to recreate her paintings. 35 copies of the paintings have already been booked, and she is optimistic about reaching her goal by the end of this month.

"My mom helped me with the packaging. She has always been supportive of my goals," the artist asserted. The project has also been therapeutic for Tasnim's family, and she is overwhelmed by the support she received so far.

"Bold and Bald", one of the bestsellers, was Tasnim's first painting for Project Maa. "The girl's flower crown in this painting denotes her courage, and busts the traditional beauty standards," she said.

Similarly, "Fighter" appreciates the undying spirit of breast cancer patients by highlighting their strength. "Rising Head" symbolises the ray of hope people are spreading by becoming a part of Project Maa. All the paintings contain a shade of pink, to signify breast cancer awareness.

The author is a freelance journalist who likes reading, planning, and scribbling. Write to her at mislammonamee@gmail.com.