Mayo man takes part in The Art of MS exhibition for World MS Day 2022
Ahead of World MS Day, MS Ireland, in partnership with Novartis Ireland, has launched The Art of MS – Symptoms Under the Spotlight exhibition featuring 12 original artworks from artists living with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland to raise public awareness of the disease. Among the artists is Seamus Burke from Partry, Mayo.
Following a nationwide call for artists living with MS, 12 artworks created by people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are now on display at the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute from today (Thursday) until next Wednesday (June 1).
Featuring paintings, digital illustrations, freestanding sculptures and creative video content, the artists will be using their chosen format to illustrate the symptoms of their disease and the impact it has on their life.
The exhibition is open to the public and entry is free of charge.
The 12 works of art on display were shortlisted by a panel of judges and chosen for their ability to impactfully depict the many symptoms of MS, many of which are invisible and unknown to the general public, such as fatigue, vision impairment, depression, and difficulties with memory and thinking.
The exhibition will feature paintings, digital illustrations, freestanding sculptures and creative video content, all of which aim to help the viewer better understand what it is like to live with MS day to day.
Méabh Hennelly (25) is a featured artist who lives with MS. Her piece, entitled Secret Central System, is a 3D printed sculpture which is intact from the front and exposes the brain and spinal cord from the back, representing the hidden nature of MS.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Méabh said: “My artwork is about the hidden nature of MS for people such as myself living with the disease. The sculpture, like me, looks ordinary from the front, nothing unusual. As one walks to the side and back of the sculpture you can see my exposed brain and spine. This is a metaphorical representation of sharing my MS with someone, of opening up that side of myself and letting others into my hidden vulnerability.”
Ava Battles, chief executive of MS Ireland, added: “One of the big challenges for people living with MS is trying to articulate their symptoms to others when so much of their disease is invisible. Without understanding, empathy is limited as people do not realise how debilitating the disease can be on all aspects of the person’s life.
“The beauty of our exhibition, opening today, is that people have been able to show through art what they find hard to articulate in words. I would encourage everyone to visit The Art of MS – Symptoms Under the Spotlight exhibition and show your support for the 9,000 people in Ireland living with this disease.”
Dr. Chris McGuigan, consultant neurologist, St. Vincent’s Hospital, commented: “MS is a chronic disease which affects the central nervous system and is identifiable by lesions which appear on the spine or brain. The disease is progressive but it is also unpredictable and affects each person differently.
“World MS Day provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness of the symptoms for greater personal awareness of what to look out for but also to educate others to better understand the disease and how they might support a loved one, colleague or employee living with MS.
“The Art of MS – Symptoms Under the Spotlight helps to do just that and I would encourage everyone to visit the exhibition where they can see the impact of the disease as illustrated by people living with the condition.”
The Art of MS – Symptoms Under the Spotlight is accessible to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in the main foyer of Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute. Find more information about MS and to view the profiles of the artists who will feature at the exhibition at www.MS-Society.ie. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #TheArtofMS.