Chris Edwards has come full circle from a plastic surgeon, to an artist at the forefront of a new exhibition exploring the human body.
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Presented in partnership with Mona Foma, Art of body: health, beauty and desire will be featured at the Academy Gallery from January 16 to February 8.
Featuring more than 50 works from 16 artists, the exhibit explores how the human body has inspired artists and scientists to create, invent and discover throughout history.
Dr Edwards’ bronze sculptures The Balance of Life, Ease, and Life Cycle will all be featured front and centre as part of the exhibition.
After a career as a plastic surgeon, he said transferring his fascination with the human form into art was a fulfilling process.
“My expertise in the art world comes from a knowledge of human anatomy, rather than a knowledge of the arts,” he said.
“My first career was as a plastic surgeon, so I have always had an interest in aesthetics and proportion and the human figure.
“I have always liked making things and I thought I would give it a go as a technical exercise.
“It is great to have come full circle.
“Having been a graduate of the Tasmanian medical school and now to be back in it, but in a totally different field as an artist.”
The exhibition’s curator Dr Malcom Bywaters said working with Mona Foma had been a magical experience.
“After the success of last year, I knew I wanted to present an exhibition centered around the body,” he said.
“The human form, physique, health, beauty and desire. Artists have always worked with the body as a narrative, all the way back to Leonardo and beyond.”
Featuring human specimens, objects, artworks and teaching materials on loan from the University of Tasmania, Dr Bywaters said the exhibition would allow the audience to appreciate the function and form of body parts not normally visible.
“It was an opportunity for our artists to look at a medical collection of more than 2500 specimens,” he said.
“For many it was a catalyst for inspiration and an opportunity to educate the broader community.”