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Essential life philosophies inspired Art Liberating Lives entry

10 November 2008

Buckinghamshire based artist Ali Cockrean, has entered an expressionist painting in the name of her close friend, who died of a brain tumour.

The professional painter decided to take part in Sue Ryder Care’s Art Liberating Lives and enter a piece inspired by her close friend Charles Haslam, who died two years ago of a brain tumour at the age of 45, she said:

“As a professional expressionist painter, I have always drawn on my emotions to guide my work.  Two years ago, my close friend, Charles Haslam, died of a brain tumour.  He was a huge supporter and believer in my work and a truly positive and enriching influence on my life, his loss hit me very hard.  My art is the vehicle for all the emotions I've experienced since his death.  To my surprise, the images I created, even in the early stages of grief, were very positive ones, full of colour and energy - much like Charles. 

I have chosen to take part in Art Liberating Lives because I can relate very closely to the theme of liberation, both in the sense of relief - when Charles died he was released from his suffering, which was considerable - and freedom, which I experience by expressing my feelings through art.   

Charles was always a believer in living for the moment.  When he became ill, he found that this philosophy was an essential 'modus operandi' for him.  I had always found it very difficult to concentrate on the here and now. I learnt a great deal from Charles about taking pleasure in the small, but not insignificant, elements of everyday life.  This painting is an expression of how positive and important it is to live and appreciate every moment of your life”, Ali explained.

Visit the Art Liberating Lives exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London,11 - 18 December.

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