Newcastle Medical Humanities Network is thrilled to announced the latest published chapter by members Dr Olivia Turner and Dr Sally Waite, ‘Corporeal Pedagogy: Visualizing Anatomy Through Art, Archaeology, and Medicine’ in Graphic Medicine, Humanizing Healthcare and Novel Approaches in Anatomical Education. Biomedical Visualization, vol 3. Springer International.
Abstract
This chapter outlines the educational methodology, Corporeal Pedagogy established by Dr. Olivia Turner and Dr. Sally Waite, which uses the Shefton Collection of Greek Art and Archaeology for interdisciplinary teaching and learning. This methodology considers the relationship between objects, art, and medicine to better understand how we visualize and imagine the visceral body. It aims to create a form of learning and teaching that addresses and challenges certain conventional modes of Western education, particularly within a European university setting, and to instead facilitate embodied and haptic learning and production of knowledge. Corporeal Pedagogy explores ancient and contemporary notions of the body and embodiment, and how our perception of anatomy changes during experiences of transition, illness, and disease. The participating students used object handling, creative practice, meditation, and selected readings to investigate what it means to learn through the body. Within a university setting, the workshops illustrate the transformative role objects can play in education to facilitate radical forms of teaching and learning in the field of medical humanities.
Names and institutions of co-investigators/ collaborators:
N/A
Funding sources:
Newcastle Institute of Creative Arts Practice Award 2014
Summary of research:
Funded by Newcastle Institute of Creative Arts Practice Award 2014 as part of the transdisciplinary project ‘Student partner approaches for strategic design and evaluation of artistic modelling as a teaching and learning method in anatomy education’, Artatomy hosted two exhibitions at the University’s Students Union and International Centre for Life in collaboration with Dr Iain Keenan, Rachael Allen (visual artist and researcher) and undergraduate medical students. Artatomy brings the art of anatomy as explored by Newcastle undergraduate medical and biomedical students and focuses on learning and reflection through creativity, expression and imagination, where the students were invited to engage with the broader aesthetics, ethics and sensorial experience of anatomy.
“Giving them the chance to explore their creative side on their own terms, Artatomy has helped them re-connect with the process of drawing that they may not be using much in their studies or in their day to day life – and in some cases haven’t used since they were at school. The artwork they’ve produced is rich in imagination, skill and expression, and is indicative of the true potential and value of art when students are given the choice to explore and participate.” (Rachael Allen) Project website/webpage:
Dr Eleanor Holmes, GP, clinical educator and writer – pen name Eliot North
Names and institutions of co-investigators/ collaborators:
N/A
Funding sources:
a-n New Collaboration Bursary
Summary of research:
Rachael Allen joined forces with Dr Eleanor Holmes to investigate the creative potential for collaborative engagement across the visual and literary arts through the exchange of experiences as artist and writer, whilst exploring the interface between medicine, health, the arts and humanities. The bursary subsidised valuable time exploring each other’s creative disciplines and methodologies – drawing, sculpture, creative writing and teaching – and specific research interests – anatomy, pathophysiology, medical education, clinical practice and bioethics – to inspire new ideas for joint visual and literary outcomes.
“We met as strangers from very different worlds (medicine and art) with contrasting backgrounds and experiences (doctor and patient) but found common languages with which to negotiate our beliefs and perspectives on human health, morbidity and mortality. The collaboration created an intimate space for us to share our own narratives, life stories and emotions that surfaced through our interactions. We are now friends. Our unfolding conversations drive our ongoing ‘Lessons in Anatomy’, illuminating not only the relationship between the arts and medicine but also the fine line separating the dead and the living, doctor and patient, health and illness, as well as the relationship between two women with very different views and experiences of mortality.”
