Winning entry in art competition depictsbeauty, wholeness despite mastectomy

Architect Nikko Shabtai, of Beverly Hills, Calif., took first prize in the Oncology on Canvas event, sponsored by Eli Lilly in partnership with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

Mr. Shabtai used a painter’s knife, rather than a paintbrush, to create “As I Am, Beautiful and Whole,” which won the Best of Exhibition trophy and an award of $10,000 donated to the Cancer Schmancer Foundation on his behalf.

Mr. Shabtai’s acrylic painting portrays a woman who appears to have undergone a mastectomy. “I was painting the model in my painting workshop when I picked up my knife instead of a brush and painted her without a breast,” Mr. Shabtai explained in a written statement. He said he realized that his inspiration for this piece was the breast cancer diagnosis, and subsequent mastectomy, that a family member had recently experienced.

In all, 19 winners were selected in the Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey Art Competition and Exhibition, with 26 prizes given to 22 cancer charities.

Elizabeth Menges of Boston took home second prize for a series of six small oil paintings that detail the morning dressing routine of a breast cancer survivor.

New York-based breast cancer survivor Barbara E. Litke and artist Nash Hyon, of Wilton, Conn., tied for third place.