The aesthetic nature of microscope slides and agar plates has inspired many laboratory scientists to spend their spare time creating artwork based on what they see in the lab. But it’s not just clinical professionals that find inspiration in their surroundings.
Artist Evin Schuler has created a series of oil paintings inspired by pathology slides. Here, we find out what drew her to medical-themed artwork and why she continues to delve into the #pathart community.
What inspired you to create pathology-themed art?
In 2015, my father died from cancer after a relatively short year-and-a-half battle with the disease. I struggled with grief over his passing, and, as an artist, I also simultaneously struggled with finding inspiration and motivation to create art in the months following his death.
In an effort to overcome both painter’s block and heartache, I took to creating a new series of large paintings. These paintings were based loosely on pathology slides from actual cancer patients. But rather than paint in the pink and purple hues commonly found on the slide images, I recreated the images using my own color palettes. The result was a series of brightly colored and beautiful abstract paintings. The process of painting this series allowed me to grow in my craft but, most importantly, it helped to heal me ever so slightly from the trauma and turmoil that cancer had caused me and my family.
Are there symbolic elements in your paintings that have personal or medical significance?
One painting in this series that holds hidden symbolism is titled “The Guardian”. After creating this piece, I was immediately drawn to a form within the piece that looked similar to an angel's wing. Whilst this wasn’t created intentionally, I considered it a happy accident. It also felt like a sign from my dad that I was doing well and on a good path with this series. Thus, the painting was named after my dad, who seemingly took on a guardian angel role even though he is no longer physically present in my life.
To what extent do you collaborate with pathologists or medical professionals to ensure accuracy?
When I began the research for this series, I stumbled across a great pathology website that contained hundreds of slide images. I reached out to the doctor who created the site for copyright release and permission to use the images as reference photos. Thus began a wonderful friendship and extensive collaboration with Dharamdas Ramnani.
I owe Ramnani a great debt for assisting me in bringing these paintings to fruition. Alongside providing me with high resolution copies of the images on his website, he also connected me with Katherin Galagan and Marilyn Bui – two pathologists that authored The Healing Art of Pathology. This introduction was the catalyst to having my biography and artwork included in their book publication. I’m so grateful for the connections and collaborations that were vital in making this series a reality.
What opportunities arose from the publication of your work?
After my art was published in The Healing Art of Pathology, it was discovered by David West at Proscia. As well as working at a company dedicated to the early detection of cancer, West has also been personally affected by cancer in his immediate family and is passionate about advancing technology to fight this horrific disease.
When Proscia expanded their offices in Philadelphia, he purchased four large works from this series to display in the new building. These pieces are now proudly on display where they subtly support the mission of the business, and pathologists as a whole.
How do you respond to viewers who may find pathology-based artwork unsettling?
It’s an understandable response when someone reacts with concern or questions about making art based on cancer pathology. I’ll admit, it’s a little bizarre. For me, it was an opportunity to regain some control. When you are a caretaker or witness to someone losing a battle with cancer, the disease renders you completely helpless. By painting these pieces, I was able to take some of my power back, which had been robbed by my father’s cancer.
These paintings also serve as a reminder that beauty can be found even in the most unexpected of places. It goes to show that there is some good in everything and everyone, even if it isn’t always glaringly obvious on the surface. Perception can be your ticket to happiness or your ticket to despair, and I try to choose the former.
Have you noticed a growing appreciation for medical-themed artwork in the art world?
I don’t know if I have noticed a growing appreciation, but I do hope that it’s there. What I have noticed is that some of the greatest artwork comes from personal connection and passion behind the inspiration. And I think that medical-themed work generally has a very strong personal connection with the artist, which tends to lend itself to really wonderful and powerful outcomes.
What role do you think pathology-themed art can play in medical education?
Pathology-themed art in medical education brings a human touch to medical slides and artifacts. It transforms sterile, objective images into reminders of their connection to real people and their illnesses. Treating disease is not just about eliminating diseased cells – it involves caring for the whole person, including their body, mind, and spirit. I believe that the best physicians will master both medical science and the empathy needed to understand their patients. And it’s that softness and compassion that pathology art can bring into medical education.
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