The human body has always been a source of inspiration for artists worldwide. However, not many have seen what the body is like underneath the skin – even fewer have been able to accurately portray a person like so in art (not considering those who specialize in biologically accurate illustrations for textbooks and the like, of course). I had the honour to view a most interesting exhibition late last year at the Telus World of Science called Body Worlds 3, which took human bodies and transformed them into pieces of artwork and excellent models to study and learn about biology with.

I was greatly inspired, and I feel as though the experience has influenced my artwork and perhaps even altered my artistic style. This exhibition defies social taboos and technological limitations to help us understand our own biological and physical make up. It was and still is a topic of fierce debate, but discussion about its ethical value does not interest me.

What caught my attention the most about this specific exhibition was the artistic aspect. Only as I toured the exhibition did I realize how marvelous and intricate the human body truly is and even then, how artistic it is as its own. I was quite surprised to find that even with the muscles and organs exposed, the human body is still aesthetic and graceful.

Plastination is a fascinating concept, and to be able to see bodies perfectly preserved was quite the experience. It was almost difficult to believe that the specimens were real human bodies. Some specimens were almost like sculptures, but there are others that were even more interesting than the bodies arranged in varying poses placed around the exhibition hall. One such specimen was the arterial corrosion cast, also called “The Thinker.” It was interesting to see a person’s shape from afar, but also be able to see an intricate system of vessels forming small patterns when examining it closely. Another interesting specimen was “The Skateboarder.” The person’s body was twisted into a strange yet beautiful position and shape, and the strain visible on the tendons and muscles makes it seem almost alive.

I am convinced to one day create a sculpture that looks as realistic as the plastinated bodies – and to learn to draw anatomy better so that in the future I can create art that can both educate and fascinate. I believe that the most perplexing and thought provoking part of the exhibit is the fact that it was almost like one is looking at a mirror. That such impressive things exist in one’s own body invokes a feeling of awe and renews the interest in oneself and in self-discovery. Seeing humans in this light was different and intriguing, and I believe it gave me a finer understanding of human anatomy and the beauty of our existence.