Bone Weary

Anne: The piece started as an image, an MRI, for which I had to pay privately in order to see a surgeon, mounted on an 11 inch tall section of a wooden 4X4. This stage was imagined and created quickly.

Laura: I am the second artist to work on this piece.  When I received the artwork from Anne, it had an MRI printed image of a spine, adhered to a section of a fence post. I saw the post as a strong support, solid and structural, but not flexible. From there, spinal rigidity came to mind- what if the back had been fused? I looked into the MRI to see if I could see indications of this but found none. I decided to go forward with the idea of a spine, having had problems with chronic back pain and Osteoporosis for years myself. 

I consulted my Anatomy for Artists book and practiced drawing the human spine in my sketchbook, using contour lines and trying to size up to the scale needed for the post. I created a base layer on one of the sides of the post, using gesso and then collage to add texture, noting how the fence post had manufactured texture in a regulated pattern, still visible in places. I decided to keep it. 

 I drew the spine contour onto the collaged surface, liking the contrast between the blurred MRI image and the fine definite lines of the contour. Both seemed flexible and complex in contrast to the post. I used more collage from the fine print warnings included with my Osteoporosis medication- bone health can come with side effects.  

Finally, I stamped the word PAIN on the surface using a rubber stamp and sent it off to Sheila Nourse for the next contribution.

Anne: this piece actually has two titles: Bone Weary, and Back Bone. I did not expect to have the piece returned with such adherence to its intent.   The empathy and resonance of shared back issues left me feeling honoured and seen.