Patient donates lifetime of artwork to raise funds for Ashgate Hospicecare
Ashoka Sen, from Holymoorside, who is a Day Hospice patient at Ashgate Hospicecare in Old Brampton, Chesterfield, has decided to donate her lifetime of artwork to raise funds for the Hospice. These intricate and vibrant paintings, prints and merchandise will initially be sold in the Hospice shop and at the Hospice’s Christmas Market on Saturday 17th November 2018.
Ashoka has a life-limiting illness which means that her health is declining day to day. Her right arm does not work as well as it used to, and so she cannot paint large paintings as she once did. However, she still enjoys doing smaller drawings when she comes into the Day Hospice each week.
Ashoka said, “It means a lot to me that the legacy of my artwork will live on. I’m not very well now and I was very concerned that my paintings would just sit in my house and not go anywhere as my son doesn’t have the space for all of them. It’s wonderful to know that other people will be able to enjoy my work for years to come and that the Hospice will be able to raise lots of money and help more patients.”
Ashoka is a self-taught artist who was born in India, but she has lived on the edge of the Peak District for over 40 years. Many of her paintings are inspired by nature and the beauty of her surroundings in Derbyshire.
Sanjoy Sen, Ashoka’s son, said, “We’re very pleased to be able to donate the artwork to raise funds for the Hospice. We’re going to be staying in touch with the staff at the Hospice to ensure that more merchandise such as prints, cards, gift wrap, mugs and bags can be made from my mother’s works. I’m looking forward seeing how much we can help to raise and to keep it going year on year.”
Ami Brunyee, Activities Coordinator at the Day Hospice, said, “It’s clear that Ashoka is a very skilled, passionate and creative artist who produces absolutely spectacular things and it’s great that we’ll be able to sell her paintings at the Hospice on her behalf. I’ve already bought an original – a beautiful painting of a tiger leaning over a tree branch that reminds me of my daughter when she was a baby. It’s so nice having a painting with a story; one that was created by a patient. I also think people will appreciate the text that accompanies each picture about Ashoka’s inspiration for it. It’s definitely going to fly off the shelves!”
To buy Ashoka’s artwork and merchandise, you can come to Ashgate Hospicecare, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can come along to Ashgate Hospicecare’s Christmas Market on Saturday 17th November – click here for more information. To see more about Ashoka and her artwork, you can visit her website at www.ashokasen.co.uk.
