Exhibit shows how art and medicine meet
Six Chicago artists spent two years at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, observing, interviewing and painting.
The result: "The Fine Arts Examine the Medical Arts," exhibit opening today at the North Chicago medical school.
"There is an age-old question of, 'Where do doctors come from' -- this attempts to answer it," said David McKay, curator of the Feet First Museum. "The exhibit also gives us two views. For us, those inside the medical profession, it is a fresh prospective. For everyone else, it is a window into a world we don't ever get to see."
The exhibit is made up of 36 paintings featuring Rosalind Franklin staff and students.
Like Dutch painter Rembrandt's rendering of "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulip" provided insight into the controversial medical practices of the 1600s, McKay said, these works reflect an important moment in the history of medical education.
"Through the process of fine art, we are able to show the process of medical education," he said.
The artists involved in the project are Ken DeWaard, Scott Tallman Powers, Kathleen Newman, Antonia Frank, Nancie King Mertz and Andrea Vincent.
Mertz said the project was fascinating because the artists were given complete access to the school and students.
"We were in cadaver labs, observed surgeries, followed doctors on rounds," she said. "The amount of access we had shows in the art. All of the work combined makes for a fabulous and very interesting show."
McKay said he hopes the exhibit attracts local school groups.
When the show ends March 15, McKay said, the work will be displayed across the world. There are plans to display the exhibit at the Connecticut state capital building, at a university in Wales and in Istanbul, Turkey.
The public is invited to attend an opening reception at 4:30 p.m. today at Scholl Museum on the Rosalind Franklin University campus, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago.
The exhibit is available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through March 15. Weekend visits can be arranged by calling McKay at (847) 578œ8417.