The HMRI Art Series, launched in 2006, is a celebration of our region’s leading researchers. Each year an established local artist will be commissioned to create an artwork that celebrates the work of the HMRI Researcher of the Year.
Loyal supporters of HMRI including members of the Foundation Gold Circle, Foundation Silver Circle, Foundation Circle and Top 200 program receive a limited edition print in recognition of their support. The original artwork is auctioned at the annual HMRI Ball, providing a prestigious acquisition for local collectors.
View the previous HMRI Art Series here.
2012 Art Series - From Darkness into the Light
The HMRI 2012 HMRI Art Series was inspired by the work of Professor Amanda Baker, an international research leader in co-morbidity - the
existence of two sets of serious problems, one being mental illness
and the other substance misuse. 2012 Art Series Artist, Kerrie Coles, reflects on this inspiration:
Professor Amanda Baker’s research is the study of co-morbidity, or the existence of two sets of serious problems – one being serious mental illness and the other, substance misuse – a duality. Her research has been described as visionary and is making an enormous contribution to the recovery of people suffering from this co-morbidity. After meeting with Professor Baker I feel privileged to have been commissioned to create the artwork in celebration of, and response to her and ground-breaking research.
The subject of this artwork was very challenging, and, as I am primarily a landscape painter, I felt that there could be no better way to respond to Amanda’s research than with a landscape. I chose to use the power of nature, taking the elements air and water and using them to create a work to symbolise her research.
The dark clouds on the horizon symbolise the two parts of Amanda’s research, the clouds separating to reveal a way-out through her research, a means of escape from the darkness into the light. On the left, the oppressive dark cloud mass represents serious mental illness and the depths of despair. This cloud is linked along the horizon to the dark, broken up clouds to the right of the very strong central light, the focal point of the artwork. These clouds represent substance misuse, the existence of a patient’s dependency on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
The strong focal point represents Professor Baker’s research, the way forward, and a pathway created by her widely recognised and very successful evidence-based treatments that take the patient into the light and give them the chance of a better future. Her research has meant that her patients are fortunate to be given treatments that enable them to heal and recover from their illness, and allow them to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The focal point above the horizon and, the sea below the horizon together they represent the healing and cleansing properties of Amanda’s research, and the significant contribution she is making to the health and well being of members of our communities suffering from comorbidity.
This limited edition print is presented to a loyal supporter of HMRI. The 2012 HMRI Art Series is supported by Chris and Shirley Piggott, Kerrie Coles, Classic Framing and Memorabilia, and NCP.
From Darkness into the Light
