The Art of Communication

University of Glasgow 8 July - 1 August 2008

An exhibition of 10 works by 10 different artsists exploring the role of communication in art and medicine curated by Christine Borland and supported by the Scottish Arts Council.

The novel collection of 10 works of art was inspired by, and will be displayed in, the rooms at the University of Glasgow’s Medical School where students are taught how to communicate with patients through role-play with actors.

Artist Christine Borland developed the concept of the exhibition after observing students practice their communications skills in these simulated consultations.

She said: “It intrigued me to watch the students being evaluated on skills such as eye contact, body language, use of silence and empathy.

A lot of the training that takes place in the Communications Suite in the Medical School is very visual, involving role-play and analysis of footage of these interactions.

The 10 artists participating in this exhibition used these ideas to inspire a range of art works including video, sculpture and performance pieces, which explore the fundamental importance of communication in all human relationships”

The works include a sculpture using medical mannequins, a performance piece based on the 1960s US military Dolphin Communication Programme and a choreographed video piece involving actors who work as patients during the training of students.

For further information on the exhibition, including details on the contributing artists and their works, please visit the University of Glasgow's news page. Or contact Kate Richardson, in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office (tel: 0141 330 3683)