Barts Pathology Museum’s resident artist unveils a series of paintings inspired by thousands of anatomical specimens
me . complete . you 16th – 29th August, 2013 Private view: Thursday 15th August, 6pm, RSVP: alicebroughton@hotmail.com
An exhibition of extraordinary anatomical art by artist Geoffrey Harrison will open at Barts Pathology Museum on August 16th.
The Victorian Museum, which opened in 1879 is hidden within the grounds of St Bartholomew’s Hospital in Smithfield, it recently appeared as the only UK entry in CNN’s list of the World’s Weirdest Medical Museums.
The series of 25 paintings will be shown alongside the museum’s three-story mezzanine of 5,000 preserved 18th-to-20th century anatomical, pathological and forensic specimens, which were once used to teach medical students at London’s oldest hospital. Harrison’s paintings are a direct response to this “cabinet of curios”, having undertaken an artist-in-residence programme at the museum during 2012-13.
The son of medical illustrators, Harrison says:
“My childhood was spent surrounded by medical imagery. The subjects of death, life, flesh and mortality have always provided a strong current in my work. The paintings in this show make visual reference directly to the specimens in the museum as well as to the nature of spontaneous unnatural growth, damage, division and conjoining.”
The exhibition marks the tenure of Harrison’s residency at Barts Museum. As an artist he often works in direct partnership with organisations and private collections.
About The Artist
Geoffrey Harrison is originally from Manchester. After completing an undergraduate degree in Fine Art Printmaking, he lived in Japan for several years. Returning to the UK to complete a Master’s Degree, he now lives and works in central London.
Harrison’s work fits within the emergent collision of sci-art-philosophy. He recently led a workshop at the Museum of London’s major exhibition, ‘Doctors, Dissection and Resurrection Men’, and in April 2013 presented at a Royal College of Art seminar on cross-disciplinary approaches toward studying the body. He will start as Artist in Residence at the Royal Veterinary College in a Leverhulme Trust-funded position later this year.
His practice is often in partnership with other organisations and includes teaching, workshops and seminars and curating work by other artists. His work has been exhibited in Japan and the UK in various group and solo shows and is in private collections nationally and worldwide.
Barts Museum is a II listed Pathology Museum at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, housing over 5,000 medical specimens. Purpose built in 1879, it spans three mezzanine levels and includes pathological pots relating to all areas of anatomy and physiology, including the skull of John Bellingham – the only person to assassinate a British Prime Minister. Barts Pathology Museum is leased by Queen Mary, University of London, and is run independently from the hospital.
The Museum is undergoing an extensive period of conservation. As a result it is not open daily, nor to the general public except during the unique and interesting evening events which take place there. Recent events include a Valentine’s Day seminar called ‘Mending Broken Hearts’, a taxidermy course and lectures on subjects such as Sherlock Holmes and The Resurrection Men. Private openings are also a possibility.
www.smd.qmul.ac.uk/about/pathologymuseum/
