“The awe of discovering the human body. The honor of being trusted to give advice. The gratitude for helping someone through a difficult illness. These things never grow old.” ― Danielle Ofri, MD
Medicine is the focal point of my daily life as a medical student. From the crack of dawn to late into the night, every waking moment is dedicated to delving deeply into the complexities of disease, mastering foundational knowledge, honing clinical skills, and fortifying personal resilience. It’s a demanding journey marked by both adversity and triumph. At its core lies the fundamental dichotomy of health and illness, a universal experience transcending age, background, and culture.
Today, thanks to cutting-edge technology and relentless innovation, even those grappling with severe conditions like cancer or chronic illnesses can anticipate a vastly improved quality of life. From Alexander Fleming’s serendipitous discovery of penicillin in 1928 to the revolutionary potential of CRISPR (an acronym for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”), medical advancements have grown exponentially, shaped by the unwavering commitment of countless physicians and scientists.
The story behind The Pulse Of Time (2022) has been previously detailed. In essence, it marks my debut piece, drawing inspiration from five distinct artistic styles: Renaissance Art, Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop Art. The concept originated in February 2022, prompted by an assignment to artistically depict the heart.
In a different example, On the Shoulders of Giants (2022) is a piece I painted given the prompt, “Innovation”, which was displayed at the convention of the Singapore Healthcare Biomedical Congress 2022. The piece commemorates the outstanding achievements of a myriad of physicians and scientists across the annals of history.
In 1675, Isaac Newton articulated in a letter to fellow scientist Robert Hooke, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” Scientific innovation, whether past or present, has always been founded on the work of trailblazers who have paved the way for future generations. Indeed, such collaborations make possible discoveries that benefit humanity.
In these pieces, I aim to capture the intricate workings of the human body, the compelling study of disease pathology, and the remarkable achievements of medical technology. With great pleasure, I present them for your enjoyment!
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