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.
2011 Art Series - Cyanosis
The HMRI 2011 Art Series was inspired by the work of Professor Paul Foster, an international leader in asthma and allergy research. 2011 Art Series Artist, Dr Annemarie Murland, reflects on this inspiration:
Cyanosis is a work of art made in response to the research of Dr Paul Foster. As researcher of the year, 2010, Dr Foster’s investigation in the development of allergic and chronic disease and its impact on lung function was the impetus for communicating a visual response.
Personal and critical perspectives related to chronic lung disease, medical research and the traditions of painting shape this work. The subject of Paul’s research resonated deeply with me as my mother suffered with emphysema and died of lung cancer at age sixty-six. Given this personal experience, it was with great homage that I sought to deliberate how one could fuse the personal with the critical as a visual concept that resulted in a work of art.
The stretcher on which the canvas is overlaid is the first point of contact between artist and materials. The construction and proportions of the stretcher signals conceptually the notion of the body. The scale of Cyanosis is meant to relate directly to the body in order for the viewer to absorb the painting with not only the eyes but with their whole body. A sense of embodiment, a shared felt-experience was my ultimate intention.
Developing a narrative of this nature, where science brushes up against phenomenology is approached through a personal painting methodology. A micro network of pathways is constructed creating tiny grid-like systems that weave the paint into a macro formation. By employing an approach that is multifactorial, the surface of the canvas is broken down into a traditional fore, mid and background formation. An emphasis of the mid ground penetrates one at eye level and in returning the gaze of the viewer the painting enters the body.
Presence and absence is a dichotomy that exists in this work through the drama of colour relationships. Colour as energy is present in the pulsating blue that ironically indicates a sense of breathlessness that is reinforced by the engulfing abyss. Hinting at diseased states of being the containment of the blue colour field within the surrounding blackness collectively communicates a state of stasis.
Colour, form and line, the fundamental elements of painting are the tools with which science is deliberated in the work, Cyanosis. A fusion of histories, personal and critical, foretells allegories that are transient in nature. A philosophical and conceptual approach has thus been employed to honour and recognise the contribution of Dr Paul Foster’s research to medical science.
This limited edition print is presented to a loyal supporter of HMRI. The 2011 HMRI Art Series is supported by Chris and Shirley Piggott, Dr Annemarie Murland, Classic Framing and Memorabilia, and NCP.
L-R: Andrew, Shirley and Chris Piggott, with Paul and Kim Foster, standing with Cyanosis.
2010 Art Series - I can make things again
The HMRI 2010 Art Series was inspired by the work of Associate Professor Chris Levi, an international leader in clinical stroke research. Artist of the 2010 Art Series, Susan Ryman, reflects on this inspiration...
During my interviews with Chris it was overwhelmingly clear that he is a man driven by compassion for those people entombed in their own bodies by the occurrence of stroke. I believe this motivating compassion is borne out of his continuing clinical work. To watch a person emerge from a consultation with Chris, walking, laughing and full of restored life, is to understand the importance of his work.
The most common problems of a stroke are paralysis, affecting various physical movements and sensory perception. There are also numerous cognitive impairments leading to losses in planning, motivation and critical thinking.
As a visual arts practitioner, to lose any of these abilities would be devastating, as it has been to members of my family. The possibility of retrieving these capabilities led to the inclusion of the words “I can make things again”, embedded in the central hand made lace in the artwork.
Susan explains that the hand made lace centerpiece illustrates a skilled manual tradition that often recorded histories and events while providing domestic comfort. The process of making such pieces requires the manual dexterity that now can be regained with timely and successful clot blasting.
Other symbols in the artwork include the Circle of Willis (an aerial view of the brain’s circulatory system) that is interpreted in lace in the center. Chris’ beloved fishing flies, which also require considerable manual dexterity in the making, are cast into the sky around, and also provide Chris with research parallels for his students. Various MRI scans move across the lace top, while in the background sits the skyline of Belmont, where Chris lives. The sky and water boast the successful pulse and blood flow scan result after clot blasting.
The 2010 HMRI Art Series is supported by Chris and Shirley Piggott, Susan Ryman, Wide Horizons Framing and NCP.
Associate Professor Chris Levi with artist Susan Ryman
2009 Art Series - Life
The HMRI 2009 Art Series was inspired by the research of international leader in cancer genetics, Professor Rodney Scott. Artist of the 2009 Art Series, Trevor Weekes, reflects on this inspiration...
After my meeting with Professor Scott I left with thoughts and images swirling around inside my head. Although his research has many facets and is not primarily directed toward children, I saw potential to express an idea. ‘Life’ is packed with symbolism and even though I feel certain most of it will be understood, I believe it is good to leave some parts of an artwork open to interpretation. For me the child represents not only innocence but also our future. The doves are a symbol of hope as they carry the double helix, depicted as ribbons high into the sky, reaching for great heights – the sky’s the limit. - Trevor Weekes
Trevor explains that the young child is alone in the desert, likened to the isolation that researchers must feel when they struggle to find a cure, and at times experience a sense of loneliness and frustration. To the left of the girl a lone dove sits patiently waiting its turn to help carry on with the task at hand. The clouds are a little dark but the sky is a brilliant blue reinforcing that things will be OK in the end. A cure will be found.
Professor Scott is the Co-Director of the HMRI Information Based Medicine Research Program, and has been instrumental in bringing the Hunter to the cutting edge of genetic research. He is at the forefront of researching individually-tailored treatments for cancer and other illnesses based on the detection of genetic patterns in diseases. This exciting new frontier in medicine will help lead to health improvements not possible with current approaches.
The 2009 HMRI Art Series is supported by Chris and Shirley Piggott, Trevor Weekes, Wide Horizons Framing and NCP.
Professor Rodney Scott with artist Trevor Weekes
2008 Art Series – A Woman’s Destiny
The HMRI 2008 Art Series was inspired by the research of leading Hunter breast cancer researcher, Professor John Forbes. Artist of the 2008 Art Series, Lee Zaunders, reflects on her inspiration for this artwork...
In response to Professor John Forbes’ breast cancer research, I created a work of art that expresses a personal and timeless statement. The most precious creations I have are my two daughters. I am often mindful of their biological destiny as women, especially today. The painted image of my daughter is both a celebration of sublime, feminine beauty, as well as an acknowledgement of the profound contribution Professor Forbes continues to make towards the future wellbeing of women - Lee Zaunders
Professor John Forbes is a Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University of Newcastle and heads the Australia New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group, based at Calvary Mater Newcastle. Over the past 20 years, his internationally recognised research has improved the treatment and survival outcomes of women with breast cancer.
Lee Zaunders’ personal endeavours and academic research in the visual arts has confirmed her belief in figurative art. The paintings and drawings created by Lee depict the many aspects of humanity, using the human skin itself is a canvas – a recording of a life lived.
The 2008 HMRI Art Series is supported by Chris and Shirley Piggott, Lee Zaunders, Wide Horizons Framing and NCP.
Artist Lee Zaunders and researcher Professor John Forbes
2007 HMRI Art Series - Pathways to Recovery
Pathways to Recovery, by award winning local artist Susan Weaver, is inspired by the research of Professor Jim Denham. It explores a man’s journey through diagnosis of prostate cancer and treatment, towards recovery.
The male symbol at the top of the painting is solid. Its whirlpool reflection in the bottom half of the painting suggests the confusion and uncertainty experienced after diagnosis. It is surrounded by broken lines which represent pathways to recovery. The female symbol, located at the bottom of the painting, offers a supportive role. The solid gold bars are barriers which reflect the male’s reluctance to seek help, but between the bars are spaces where the small arrow has found a pathway, suggesting hope and a positive outcome.
Professor Denham, Director of Radiation Oncology at the Newcastle Mater Hospital and a Conjoint appointment of the University of Newcastle, has a distinguished track record in clinical cancer research having coordinated many trials seeking improved treatments for people with oesophageal, head and neck, breast and prostate cancer. He has led one of the world’s largest prostate cancer trials which showed that a hormone therapy given to men with localised but inoperable prostate cancer a few months before radiotherapy can help stop their cancer returning after treatment and reduce cancer deaths.
Susan's work has been exhibited in Sydney and Newcastle. Her works are inspired by memories of particular places or regions and capture the atmosphere or essence of a landscape.
The 2007 HMRI Art Series is supported by Chris and Shirley Piggot, Susan Weaver, Sarah Morton, Wide Horizons Framing and NCP.
HMRI supporter Shirley Piggott and researcher Professor Jim Denham
2006 HMRI Art Series - The Miracle of Conception
The Miracle of Conception by leading Hunter artist Rachel Burgess is the first commission in the HMRI Series. Inspired by the research of Laureate Professor John Aitken, a world expert in fertility, it depicts our humble beginnings. A moment in time, when one egg and one sperm combine to produce a unique individual, is captured and enlarged to scale for our wonderment.
Professor Aitken, the 2005 recipient of the HMRI Award for Research Excellence, is a world expert in the field of human fertility. His research has included the development of techniques for diagnosing and treating male infertility and new approaches to reversible male contraception.
Rachel Burgess is an established artist, a tertiary educator and a PhD candidate of the University of Newcastle’s School of Fine Art. Her work has been exhibited within Australia and overseas.
The HMRI 2006 Art series is supported by Chris and Shirley Piggot, Rachel Burgess, Wide Horizons Framing and NCP.
Researcher Professor John Aitken and artist Rachel Burgess.
