2022: An ARTFul Interpretation of Orthopedics

A view of a display case. To the left is a pop-up of a pelvis, femur, with hip implant. next to it are two long paper cuts, black cut out on white, views of the spine. Next to it are several pop-ups representing pain management. Two hands with surgical gloves administering an injection. A woman reclined receiving radiofrequency ablation. containers of medication. There are also 3D views of the spine.

2022: An ARTFul Interpretation of Orthopedics
Solo Exhibition, The Gallery of ARTFul Medicine, Montefiore Medicine Hutchinson Campus
In collaboration with the Department of Orthopedics and Spine Center and sponsored by the Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein.

It was an exhibition highlighting and exploring the work of orthopedics, as told through the art of paper craft. Drawing inspiration from my own childhood experience wearing a backbrace for seven years, I wanted to find a way to provide an informative but gentle visual journey through health and potential treatments.

The body was represented through paper cuts. Here, visitors found the spine, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot, as well as the bones of the arms and legs. Various interventions potentially encountered in one’s journey were represented through full-color pop-ups. These included implants, arthroscopic surgery, trauma procedures, orthopedic oncology, pediatric orthopedics, injections, radiofrequency ablation, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Additionally, physicians and caregivers donated personal items for inclusion in the exhibition. Among these objects were implants, braces, 3D prints and other teaching models, external fixators, rehabilitation equipment, and more. Video displays featured first-person memos from caregivers and QR codes were located alongside the body and all treatments, taking visitors directly to educational and hospital resources.

Collaborating closely with Marcie Cobelli, FNP and Director of Patient Education at the Montefiore Center for Joint Replacement Surgery and Jodi Moise, Director of the Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein, the creation of this exhibition brought together the expertise ad time of many physicians and caregivers.

It was on view in the Fall of 2022. The exhibition will be permanently housed in the Department of Orthopedics moving forward.

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View of a display case. A pop-up of a ribcage, shoulder, and arm with an implant. In front of it is an actual implant. There are two papercuts - one of a shoulder, the other of the elbow. There are display cases with people speaking.
A detailed view of a popup of a leg in an external fixator. Next to it is an actual metal circular device.
Photos of the installation. A woman in a blue shirt smiling with a series of colorful weights. To the right, two men hang a large papercut of the spine.
View of a display case. Large paper cuts (black paper cut paper on soft white watercolor paper) of the spine (two views), the hand, and the hand and arm. Behind the display case another case is visible. We can see a papercut of the shoulder and the elbow.
A view of a display case. To the left is a pop-up of a pelvis, femur, with hip implant. next to it are two long paper cuts, black cut out on white, views of the spine. Next to it are several pop-ups representing pain management. Two hands with surgical gloves administering an injection. A woman reclined receiving radiofrequency ablation. containers of medication. There are also 3D views of the spine.
A long view of a display case. There are paper cuts - black cut paper on white paper of the bones of the leg and arm, the foot, the ankle, and the knee. There are popups of a knee receiving arthroscopic surgery and another leg in an external fixator. There re devices next to each item - 3d printed ankles, feet, knees, as well as an external fixator
A view of a display case. To the left is a pop-up of a pelvis, femur, with hip implant. next to it are two long paper cuts, black cut out on white, views of the spine. Next to it are several pop-ups representing pain management. Two hands with surgical gloves administering an injection. A woman reclined receiving radiofrequency ablation. containers of medication. There are also 3D views of the spine.
A display case with colorful popups of a hand administering accupuncture, a woman in blue scrubs in a physical therapy room assisting another woman who is stretching her spine, and two older individuals meditating. The paper pieces are surrounded by colorful physical therapy devices, cones, balls.
A view of of display cases. There is a monitor with a woman speaking. Below are a variety of colorful devices, cones, balls, weights, used in physical therapy. there are two colorful pop-ups of children, a boy in a cast, and a leg. next to it are a pair of small shoes connected by a rod. On the wall hang more physical therapy devices. There are black papercuts on white paper of two views of a spine, two views of the hand and forearm. and a hand.
View of a display case. On the far left is a paper cut of a pelvis. Next to it is a pop-up of a pelvis and femur, connected by a grey ball and rod. On a clear pedestal net to it is an actual hip implant - a silver ball, next to a long rod. To the left is a long (6 food) papercut of two views of the spine. black paper cut out on white paper