Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Self-inflicted

Laura Olear
Chicago, Illinois, USA

 

Artist’s statement

This series of mixed media drawings is abstracted from biological imagery. They explore issues of control over one’s own health in the form of “self-inflicted” conditions or diseases.

Obesity, anorexia, smoking, tanning, excessive alcohol consumption, and self-mutilation can all result in a variety of potentially life-threatening conditions. One could argue, in fact many assume, that these conditions are self-inflicted. Others might argue that some of these conditions are genetically predisposed and therefore not under the victims’ control. I hope to bring forth the viewer’s biases regarding control/lack of control over one’s health.

It is my intention to elicit the tension between the discomfort of the content and the beauty of the form.

 

Anorexia. Blueish emaciated torso on reddish background. Cirrhosis. Patchy and shriveled liver.
Anorexia (2008)
22″ x 30″
Mixed media on paper
Cirrhosis (2008)
22″ x 30″
Mixed media on paper

 

Complete White Out. White blotch from throat to below level of lungs over blue x-ray. Gout. Purplish pink x-ray of phalanges.
Complete White Out (2009)
22″ x 30″
Mixed media on paper
Gout (2008)
22″ x 30″
Mixed media on paper

 

Obese. Purple and yellow view of torso and arm.
Obese (2008)
22″ x 30″
Mixed media on paper

 

Smoker's Lung. Shriveled blue and purpleish lung on light blue background.
Smoker’s Lung (2008)
22″ x 30″
Mixed media on paper

 

 


 

LAURA OLEAR received her MFA in Painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design and her BFA in Painting and Drawing at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has been painting, drawing, curating, framing, teaching and medical illustrating for over 20 years. She has been featured in exhibits locally and nationally. For more information visit Laura’s Website, lauraolear.com.

 

Highlighted in Frontispiece Fall 2010 – Volume 2, Issue 3
Fall 2010  |  Sections  |  Gallery

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