Cancer Patient Sells Paintings Inspired By His Dying Blood Cells

Newton Producer Manish Mundra Promotes Cancer Patient Trying To Get Back On His Feet By Selling Paintings Inspired By His Dying Blood Cells
Newton producer Manish Mundra is doing his bit to help a cancer patient raise funds to continue his expensive treatment. Kartikey Sharma (25), a former engineering student who has been diagnosed with late-stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, is selling his paintings online to raise money for his treatment. "He is a young champ struggling at the last stage of cancer," Mundra told mid-day. "Being a painter, when I saw his paintings on social media platform, I was surprised. They are really good and meaningful. So, I decided to spread the word to encourage people to buy them."

So far, Sharma has produced over 70 paintings and 300 sketches. His paintings, which are mostly drawn with acrylic, cost between Rs 14,999 to Rs 44,999. He has been selling them since December, as he was not physically fit to start a full-fledged campaign. He has sold more than 15 paintings in the last two months. "When I was in college I used to paint walls," Sharma told mid-day. "I painted over 50 walls in Pune where I studied before falling sick. I was always known as a graffiti artist. So, I decided to take up this passion to get back on my feet again."

The Navy Nagar resident was first diagnosed in 2009 but after treatment, he got cured. In 2016, his cancer relapsed. Currently, he is undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital. "I was too weak to paint on a daily basis or start my own blog to sell those," he said. "Now, as I have gathered some strength, I have started my website, kartikeysharma.org, to sell my paintings." Most of his paintings revolve around his dying blood cells. Sharma says he wakes up at 6am every day, makes his bed to feel motivated and stay active, and according to his feelings, takes to the canvas.

"I always try to be honest with the feelings that I pour out on my canvases," he said. "I went from surrealism to abstract to give more meaning to my work. When I was doing surreal art, I tried to create the mood I wanted to be in. In abstract, I am more honest with what is reality. I make cells because I am constantly worried about my blood counts. It reminds me of cells."