Patients, volunteers and staff from The Christie are holding an art exhibition later this month to showcase their work in an attempt to raise funds to further improve the experience of cancer patients.

The budding artists - some of whom have discovered their talent after being diagnosed with cancer - will be showing around 47 paintings in the exhibition at Turners Gallery in Stockport.

It is the first time those involved in art at the world-renowned cancer centre have collectively exhibited their paintings in a public place.

Pat Mountford, resident artist at The Christie, said: "When you are told you have cancer it can be very daunting, and your life is quite often in turmoil. Painting can be very therapeutic, and can be a way of escape for many people. It is also very accessible. Water colours are not expensive, and are easy to transport so painting can be done at home as well as in the art room here at the Christie.

"Painting can seem overwhelming when you haven't done it before, but we have patients who shock themselves as they really do have a wonderful talent."

One such painter is Pat Wilkinsion, 47, from Sale, who has been described by her art teacher as "phenomenal".

Mrs Wilkinson started to come to the art room after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, before taking it up more seriously 18 months ago.

"I love it," she said. "I first started coming to pass time while waiting for my chemotherapy to be administered. But I soon discovered that it really helped me because it took my mind off feeling unwell or feeling sorry for myself. I had to give up work about 18 months ago, so it was great to have something to replace it that also gave me a little bit of my confidence back. When I am in the art room I feel about as far away from my cancer as it's possible to feel, and so I even come here on days when I am not having treatment to do art for art's sake."

Mrs Wilkinson sold some of her work following an exhibition as part of the Chorlton Arts Festival last summer. She will be exhibiting five or six paintings at the Stockport show.

"I am really looking forward to the exhibition," she said. "I do not want to make any money from it - any profits made will benefit the arts service for patients, staff and volunteers."

The art room is part of a refurbished suite of support services to help patients feel better and cope with the emotional effects of their cancer and the treatments given. In addition to art classes, services include Headstart, Look Good…Feel Better and a wig service.

The Christie Art Exhibition preview takes place 4pm-7pm on Saturday 14 January 2012 at Turners Art Shop, 91 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3SL. The show runs until Saturday 17 March 2012. Entry is free of charge. Website: www.turnersartshop.co.uk.

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