Theme: Physical Health and Wellbeing
Our bodies and minds depend on our health, and so it makes sense that many artists are concerned with the topics of health and well-being. Artists might portray the experience of living with an illness, create highly technical anatomical works, or make work featuring the up-close world of cells. A print or painting can honor the healthcare workers who strive tirelessly to improve their patients’ lives. A photograph of a dancer or athlete in motion can show the amazing potential of the human body. Conversely, artworks can also show the destructive nature of disease. Whether tragic or celebratory, reflective or encouraging, for centuries, artists have been creating artwork which reflect experience with health and well-being.
Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that creating art can improve brain function and lessen physical pain. This is not a replacement for medical intervention but can instead complement the physical healing process.
Darlene Kaczmarczyk, Homegoing, Durachrome print, 2016-1017, 2021.79.1.
Artwork about Physical Health and Wellbeing in the Collection
Elaine Dalcher, Surviving Cancer: Jan. 15, 2000: Sitting in the Chemo Chair, oil on mirror, 2000, 2003.250.1k.
Robert Barnum, DNA (Life), oil on canvas, ca. 1985, 2009.134.1.
Julie Lensink, Kelsey Donnelly, Kelsey O'Dell, Bethany Ryder, Reframing Disabilities, wood, paint, glass, 2013, 2014.10.1.
Email D., Young Flint Speaks: Flint Lives Matter, marker and colored pencil, 2016, 2018.11.26.
Darlene Kacmarczyk, Homegoing, durachrome print, 2016-2017, 2021.79.4.
Harriet Salmon, Hero, poster, 2020, 2021.17.3.
Incorporating Artwork about Physical Health and Wellbeing into your Curriculum
The GVSU Art Museum can integrate artwork into your classroom discussions, assignments, projects, and more. Check out our calendar to see if one of our already planned events meets a goal for your students or reach out to us directly to plan something tailored to your needs. We can bring artwork to your classroom; you can visit our art storage or office spaces; or book a tour of an exhibition or space on campus.
The GVSU Art Museum team can work with faculty one-on-one to create lesson plans or assignments. Whether you are looking for a behind-the-scenes experience, something hands-on, a creative usage of art in your classroom, or a more traditional assignment, we are here to assist you.
Whether you are looking for anatomical artwork or artwork which inspires empathy in your healthcare students, the GVSU collection has a myriad of artworks to choose from.
Looking for a unique opportunity to use art with your health students to inspire empathy? Consider contacting us to bring a Visual Thinking Studies (VTS) session to your classroom. VTS has been used in medical schools across the world, including Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical School, to help students going into healthcare broaden their perspectives, learn to see, and relate to the experiences of their future patients.
To talk with us about creating a curriculum connection, please contact:
Jessica Sundstrom, Learning and Outreach Manager
[email protected]
Sharon Madanes, Bedside Histories, acrylic and oil on linen, 2022, 2024.42.1.
Explore More Physical Health and Wellbeing Themes in the Collection
Katherine Williams, Catching Corona, digital painting, 2020, 2021.9.1.
Daleene Menning, Suite for Student Nurses: Learning Gloves, pencil on paper, 2003, 2003.347.1c.
Jen Cartwright, ADAPT, 2-color offset printed poster, 2006, 2020.23.18.
Activities and Resources
Building Profile: Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall
Within Fineklstein Hall there are over 280 works of art that provide learning opportunities across many different fields of study with an emphasis given to the health sciences.
Past Exhibition: Plastination: The Art of Preservation
This exhibition featured specimens along with the story of plastination at GVSU, bringing together over 20 animal specimens from the lab – currently the only plastination lab in Michigan.
Building Profile: Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (DCIH)
DCIH features more than 400 works of art, selected with intention to enhance and support interprofessional team environments and encourage cross-disciplinary innovation and collaboration.
Header Images:
Left
Javier Torres, Dedicado, digital print, 2024, 202.58.2.
Reb Roberts, Soapy Friends, acrylic on board, 2020, 2020.26.6.
Ted Meyer, Stage 4 Brain Cancer, mono-print with gouache details, 2013-2018, 2018.14.3a.
Center
Diane Zeeuw, Lessons of the Hospital: Patterns of Interiority, mixed media, 2003, 2003.307.1f.
Joe C., Untitled with Charcoal, charcoal and pastel, 2017.76.4.
Kasey Reno, Sweep Out, photograph, 2017.86.1.
Right
Ed Wong-Ligda, Endometriosis, oil on canvas, 2000, 2003.338.1.
Shelley DeFouw, Beauty is Perceived, resin, 1994, 1998.106.1.
Karla Hackenmiller, Synaptic Evolution, intaglio, 2014, 2014.114.11.
Art on Campus
For more information about the artwork selection and installation process, please contact our Project Manager, Alison Christensen; [email protected].
University Art Collection
For questions related to any artwork in the University Art Collection, in storage or on view, please contact our Collections Manager, Nicole Webb; [email protected].
Learning
For questions about integrating artwork into curriculum, please contact our Learning and Outreach Manager, Jessica Sundstrom; [email protected].