Talking about a Christine Borland sculpture: effective empathy in contemporary anatomy art (and an emerging counterpart in medical training?)

Abstract

This Introduction and interview discusses the poetical and empathic insights that are a key to the effectiveness of contemporary artist Christine Borland's practice and its relevance to the medical humanities, visual art research and medical students’ training. It takes place in a context of intensive interest in reciprocity and conversation as well as expert exchange between the fields of Medicine and Contemporary Arts. The interview develops an understanding of medical research and the application of its historical resources and contemporary practice-based research in contemporary art gallery exhibitions. Artists tend not to follow prescriptive programmes towards new historical knowledge, however, a desire to form productive relationships between history and contemporary art practice does reveal practical advantages. Borland's research also includes investigations in anatomy, medical practices and conservation.

A History of Edinburgh'S Medical Museums

“…Artists and historians began to explore the stores. 64 From 2008 around 2,000 students used the refreshed and redecorated resource centre each year. 65 By this time the collection, along with the other anatomy facilities, operated under the auspices of the Human Tissue Act (Scotland) 2006, and in 2011/12 staff also opened the museum to the general public on one Saturday per month.…”