Art of healing by medical students
THE annual intervarsity International Medical University (IMU) Art Competition saw medical students from 11 colleges and universities painting the campus bright with their entries.
With the theme “Determination”, the competition saw 19 artworks competing for 2016’s top honours.
In the end, it was Sim Li Mei from Taylor’s University who clinched the grand prize of RM3,000 with her work entitled “Willpower”. The painting depicted a human tower built upon family support, followed by nurses, doctors and surgeons in providing hope to heal the patient.
“Art teaches me to see things in a wider scope and be more conscious with my surroundings. The competition has challenged us to use art to express our thoughts and feelings on the given theme and taught us to look at healing and health from a different perspective,” said Sim.
A special prize was presented to Michele Fernandez Joseph Hath from IMU for “The Sculptor”, which portrayed that “impossible is nothing”, as long as we are determined to bring forth waves of change especially for the betterment of our health.
Ghavinassh Kanabathy from Perdana University also took home a special prize for her piece called “Epitome of Determination”, depicting a colony of ants lifting the stethoscope that represents the determination and passion of all healthcare professionals towards upholding the quality of the ever-evolving healthcare system. A third recipient of the special prize was Tung Yu Zhen from University of Malaya, for her piece entitled “I might limp, but never Wimp”, portraying that true limitations come not from an ill body but a chained mind.
The entries were judged by Harris Rashid and Dr Caryn Koh, two young established Malaysian artists. Harris Rashid was involved in group and solo exhibitions such as Beauty in the Beast, HUMANIMAL, VICE VERSA and many more.
Dr Caryn Koh, an IMU alumnus, is notably recognised for her #sekolahseries illustrations and was shortlisted for “Your Art, Your Story” Nando’s Art Initiative 2016 and won the second place in Printmaking Category, Tanjong Heritage Competition 2016.
“It is important to encourage the arts as it’s a form of expression and a means of unlocking our own potential. It also helps with being able to think outside the box when faced with challenges in our studies or workplace,” said Dr Koh.
“The art competition encourages young Malaysians to visualise their perspective of health. The expression of this year’s theme ‘Determination’ reveals insightful views and perspectives for us to contemplate upon, especially as we train and groom future healthcare professionals,” said IMU Festival of the Arts project leader Sheba D. Mani.
Organised by the IMU Festivals of the Arts under the leadership of the Department of Language, Communication and Culture, this year’s entries came from I.M Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, IPG Kampus Sultan Abdul Halim, KDU University College Penang, Multimedia University Malaysia (Cyberjaya), Perdana Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Perdana University, Taylor’s University, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), University of Malaya, UNIKL Royal College of Medicine Perak (RCMP) and IMU.