His profession enabled him to see at close quarters people’s fears and helplessness when faced with a disease whose very name is dreaded by people.
Long years of working as a nurse among persons who battled cancer convinced Nithin Joseph that something must be done to ease the pain of the terminally ill patients who cannot afford palliative care.
The artist in Nithin could not but express the pain and suffering of fellow beings on the canvas. Though he had not pursued his artistic aspirations during his career as a nurse, his colleagues including doctors, constantly encouraged him.
Four months ago, Nithin took the plunge and gave up his job at a private hospital and devoted himself totally to his passion of painting for the cause. Nithin put up a five-day exhibition of paintings at the Durbar Hall ground in the city.
The exhibition featured 63 paintings in 4x3-foot canvas using all kinds of media. The aim of the exhibition was to raise funds for cancer patients. Though it did not succeed in its mission, the works and his cause won him much appreciation. Lack of financial support has not stopped him from dreaming of taking his exhibition to other venues. Nithin is hoping to get support for his initiative so that his aim can be fulfilled. “After all, the proceeds will be going to two palliative care centres”, he said.
“Not many galleries were ready to display my works. I also learned much from my previous exhibition in 2011, when 25 paintings were put up”. His works and his attitude also went through much change before he took up his huge collection for the display. He realised the importance of money and time to put up a show like that. “I had to quit my job because no hospital management will agree to grant leave to a nurse for two months”.
The exhibition was possible because of financial help from a couple of doctors and several well-off cancer patients and their dear ones who came to know about his work. Cancer is the theme of some of his works too.
