Description

My canvas explores the power of human connection through the arts and the importance of flourishing in both medical education and practice. The left hand, from a clinical perspective alludes to the physical body through the visual imagery of tendons and arteries or could be seen as symbolic of what is beneath our skin and the part of us deep within. As it reaches out to the right hand that metaphorically represents flourishing through the imagery of butterflies and flowers, the painting emphasises the spread of compassion and care, highlighted further by the rose, a symbol of love. The two hands can be interpreted as different people reaching to develop themselves through the support of each-other or as both hands representing one person who is trying to connect the two sides of themselves (physical and mental.) I personally, interpret my piece as about myself and how I am trying to think more deeply about how I can connect my physical self with deeper meaning and creativity. However, an alternative interpretation could be that the left hand represents a patient reaching out to the flourishing hand which symbolises doctors in a consultation and depicts how patients reach out for empathy and kindness to connect with doctors. This alludes to the importance of holistic care in medicine as it Is important to explore a patient’s wellbeing and story as much as their physical health.

Reflection

This painting is a visual reminder that I should be compassionate towards myself. In times of difficulty, I should reach out for help from others and that can allow me to develop as an individual. As a medical student, it reminds me of the need for compassion with patients, to see them not only by their disease but also from a human perspective and always offer my compassion and empathy. Especially in the recent difficult times of the pandemic, forming deeper human connections is vital in caring for patient well-being. It is essential for healthcare professionals to have compassion in their consultations to gain a deeper understanding of the lived-in experiences of a patient as I believe that people become stronger when they share their stories and especially when they feel heard. The hands in my painting symbolise the power of human connections in healing and the necessity of the human dimension in medicine. I hope that any individual, particularly doctors and medical students, that see my painting will be able to feel the warmth I felt when painting it and see the need for spreading love and compassion in healthcare or even just in our daily lives.