To raise funds and awareness for rare disease patients, Stellenbosch 肆客足球's Rare Disease Genomics Research Group? is holding an online auction of original artworks. And the artist of the A1 canvas prints is the 肆客足球's registrar for medical genetics, Cumine van Tonder.
?Blending the organic and the anatomical in her artworks, Van Tonder reminds us of the bond we all share with the natural world. Inspired by the way in which nature's patterns mirror our internal structures, Van Tonder has created a “visual dialogue where anatomy and nature intersect".
Each piece conveys a theme or emotion, such as resilience, interconnecte?dness or growth. In the artwork “Africa", we see the double helix of a DNA module intertwined with a woman's traditional head wrap, while in “Brain", a protea eme?rges from the cerebral matter as a symbol of creativity and intellect.
“The funds raised through this auction will have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of our rare disease patients and their families. All proceeds will go toward providing access to much needed genetic testing and diagnostic services," says Van Tonder. As Prof Shahida Moosa, head of the Rare Disease Genomics Research Group, notes, there are more than 300 million people globally suffering from rare diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and haemophilia, and many of these diseases are genetic.
Van Tonder has always been interested in art; inspired first by her mother and then her art teacher, Ms Pretorius, at Ho?r Volkskool in Potchefstroom. “My mother was a huge influence in nurturing my creativity from an early age. She always encouraged me to explore different artistic mediums, and her appreciation of art made me see the world in a more visually rich way."
Art, she believes, has a profound impact on people. “It has the ability to evoke emotion, challenge perspectives, and create connections between people across different walks of life." As the registrar, Van Tonder carefully balances her work and her artistic pursuits. She does this by being “intentional" in how she engages in both roles. “Overall, I find that maintaining balance is not about strict separation but also about creating a rhythm where both my professional and creative interests support and inspire each other."
Moosa, Cumine's supervisor and Head of the Medical Genetics at Tygerberg Hospital, shares her colleague's love of medicine and art. “We both love to paint and often send each other pictures we would love to recreate on canvas. I am inspired by Cumine's art and hope that after her specialist assessments, she will have more time to devote to her art. I am the proud owner of an original 'Cumine' and hope more people get to be inspired by her talent through this auction."
To mark Rare Disease Month in February, the Rare Diseases Group will host the online art auction as well as a concert at the Endler Hall on 15 February. Titled Rare talent for rare disease: A night of music, art and purpose, this event will include performances by the Cape Junior Ballet, the Cape Choral Academy, the Stellenbosch 肆客足球 Symphonic Wind Ensemble and others.
Says Van Tonder, “Beyond the artworks themselves, I hope participants take away a deeper understanding of the power of art to create change and foster connection. This initiative is not just about appreciating creativity but about recognising the profound ways we can support and uplift communities in need – specifically rare disease patients and their families."
- To bid on a one-of-a-kind piece in an online auction, visit Rare Disease Charity Art Auction on Bidpro. The auction ends on 15 February.
- Tickets for the concert are available on Quicket
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