Facing the Future

An exhibition of portraits of people affected by breast cancer

About the event

Breast cancer affects everyone – men and women from all walks of life. The effects of breast cancer are profound – not just on those diagnosed, but also on their loved ones. The Facing the future exhibition tells their stories and celebrates their resilience, raising awareness of and funds for Breast Cancer Now during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

When is the exhibition open?

  • Dates: 2 to 14 October 2025
  • Opening hours: 9am to 4pm weekdays

Where is it and how do I get there?

The exhibition will be held at:

The Art Academy – Bankside Campus
185 Park Street
London SE1 9BL

  • Google Maps pin
  • Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge (10 minute walk)
  • Nearest bus stop: Southwark Bridge/Bankside Pier BC (3 minute walk away)
  • If cycling, there are bike rails just outside the building for you to leave your bikes.

About the artists

Ruth Swain

Ruth Swain is an award-winning portrait, figurative and still-life artist based in Oxfordshire. She works in oil, watercolour and pastel. Her large-scale images not only tell a story, but they show the emotional bond between subject and sitter.

Ruth graduated from The Art Academy London in December 2020. She previously worked in London, Hong Kong and New York as an advertising art director and illustrator. She brings this influence into her paintings by using visual ideas and humour to enhance her work.

Ruth is a member of the Oxford Art Society. Her recent achievements include The Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize 2023, a finalist in The British Art Prize Award in Artists and Illustrators magazine (Top 50 artists) and one of 40 artists in The John Ruskin Prize 2024. Ruth had her first duo show in 2023 at Ronagallery, Oxford.

Ruth has herself had breast cancer.

Find out more about Ruth and her work

A painting of a woman sitting on a bed in a light grey room, with a woman lying behind her on the bed. The woman in the foreground has grey hair and is holding a book, which covers her chest and the lower half of her face. The book's cover has a picture of the top half of a nude woman sleeping, which blends with the woman lying on the bed in the background.

Paul Starns

Paul Starns is an award-winning figurative artist living in Surrey, England. He was not allowed to study art at school but had always wanted to pursue his love of painting and drawing.

Following his retirement from the family business in 2015, he made up for lost time by completing a Foundation Degree in Contemporary Portraiture at the Art Academy London, where he won both the drawing & peer prizes.

Since then, he has undertaken many pet portrait commissions but now chooses to focus his attention on painting people, where he looks to achieve more than a simple likeness by responding to each sitter’s unique story.

Paul’s wife and mother have both been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.

Find out more about Paul and his work

A close-up painting of a man with blue eyes and a moustache with a look of curious surprise on his face, set against a green-blue background.

Any questions?

If you'd like any more information about the exhibition, please get in touch with our team. We'll be happy to help.

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