A powerful pencil drawing by a city-based doctor is turning heads and sparking crucial conversations at an ongoing art exhibition in Thiruvananthapuram. The artwork, created by Dr Radhika Radhakrishnan, delivers a poignant message about the life-saving gift of posthumous organ donation.
Art Imitating Life: A Modern Take on a Classic
Displayed at the Soorya Art Festival, the drawing is a thoughtful reinterpretation of Michelangelo's legendary fresco, 'The Creation of Adam'. However, in Dr Radhakrishnan's version, the narrative shifts from divine creation to human compassion. Instead of God giving life to Adam, the sketch portrays a deceased donor offering a kidney to a person connected to a dialysis machine.
This creative adaptation carries a profound central theme: 'Donor Is God'. The artist suggests that through the selfless act of organ donation after death, an individual attains a divine status by granting the gift of life to another.
The Artist and the Venue
The creator, Dr Radhika Radhakrishnan, is not a full-time artist but an associate professor of pediatric nephrology at SAT Hospital. Her medical background deeply informs her art. The exhibition, organized collaboratively by Soorya and Tint Academy, is being held at the Ganesh Art Gallery in Thycaud. Interestingly, the overarching theme of the exhibition revolves around newspapers, making Dr Radhakrishnan's piece a standout contribution that uses art for social messaging.
Dr Radhakrishnan expressed her hope that her artwork will serve as a catalyst for dialogue. She aims to raise public awareness about the critical importance of pledging organs and discussing one's wishes with family members.
Exhibition Details and Lasting Impact
The exhibition provides a platform for this vital message to reach a wider audience. It is open to the public daily from 4 pm to 9 pm until Friday. By blending classical art inspiration with a contemporary medical and ethical issue, the drawing moves beyond aesthetics. It seeks to leave a lasting impression on viewers' minds, potentially encouraging more people to consider becoming organ donors and thereby addressing the severe shortage of organs in India.
This initiative highlights how creative fields like art can effectively partner with medical advocacy to drive social change and save lives.
