For A.M. Release, May 8, 2000
For more information, contact:
Joanne Swanson
(847) 384-4035, [email protected]
Cindy Oertel
(847) 384-4034, [email protected]
Lisa Doty
(847) 384-4033, [email protected]
eMotion Pictures illustrates the orthopaedic story through patient and physician art
ROSEMONT, Ill.--Every picture tells a story, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons will tell the stories of artists with orthopaedic conditions and the physicians who treat them through a special art exhibit--eMotion Pictures: An Exhibition of Orthopaedics in Art. A Call for Entries has been issued today for artwork to be exhibited during the Academy's Annual Meeting, Feb. 27-March 3, 2001, at the J.J. Brookings Gallery in San Francisco.
The Call for Entries is open to all artists who presently have or have had an orthopaedic condition. Some examples of orthopaedic conditions affecting muscles, bones, joints and/or ligaments include arthritis, osteoporosis, scoliosis, spina bifida and other congenital bone anomalies, spinal cord injury or other spinal conditions, cerebral palsy, amputation, broken bones and joint replacements, foot and hand problems and sports injuries.
The theme of the artwork can represent any aspect of the artist's feelings toward or relationship with the orthopaedic condition; for example, healing, rehabilitation, anger, self-image, mobility, frustration, strength, pain, weakness, movement, hope, wellness, freedom or independence.
Submitted artwork will be selected for the exhibit by a panel of jurors that includes art professionals. Jurors will select a "Best of the Show" awarding $2,500 to the artist. Additional awards will be given by the jury.
Orthopaedic surgeons also are eligible to enter artwork that depicts some aspect of the patient/physician relationship or how the specialty makes a difference in the lives of patients; why they became an orthopaedic surgeon; views on practicing the art of healing, frustration, outcomes or compassion.
"This exhibit will provide a forum for patients and physicians to understand each other through artistic expression," said S. Terry Canale, MD, president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Using art as a means to communicate makes it easier for patients and physicians to share their unique perspectives."
The cover of the "Call for Entries" features the artwork of Laura Ferguson, an artist with scoliosis who incorporates her X-rays and spiral CT scans into beautiful, expressive drawings of the human body.
"The malformation of my skeletal form results in pain, frailty and restricted breathing," writes artist Laura Ferguson. "I became interested in finding its particular kind of beauty, one that perceives deformity as 'differentness' and 'differentness' as individuality. Art becomes an empowering and transformational strategy, turning pain into beauty. And the isolation that physical 'differentness' can cause becomes a connection shared between the artist and viewer."
The deadline to submit artwork for consideration is Sept. 1, 2000. To obtain a "Call for Entries," visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons web site at http://www.aaos.org or contact Pat Julitz, AAOS, Public and Media Relations Department, (800) 346-2267, ext. 4036 or email, [email protected].
An orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor with extensive training in the diagnosis and nonsurgical as well as surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
The 24,500-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public and is an advocate for improved patient care. Committed to improving the quality of life for people with musculoskeletal conditions, the Academy supports the United Nations-declared Bone and Joint Decade initiative 2000-2010 to increase awareness of preventing injuries and furthering worldwide research efforts.
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