Matters of the Heart

In my ongoing series, Matters of the Heart (2006-present), I explore the complex nature of the
heart as metaphor and as the anatomical center of our being.  In my sculptures, I combine natural
materials which echo the fragility of the human body, with biomedical materials used in contemporary
cardiac procedures. While my working process is intuitive,  studying the anatomy and physiology of
the heart has informed my work. I have had collaborative support from Toronto cardiologist 
Dr. David Newman, who provided me with opportunities to observe both electrophysiology procedures 
and open heart surgery.
 
In researching the history of the heart from an artistic, cultural and medical point of view, I
traced the depiction of the heart over the last 500 years and how it changed as medical knowledge
advanced. I have given presentations about this interchange to diverse audiences in the United
States, Canada and Italy. My series Matters of the Heart has been highlighted in 
Art and Science Collaborations, Inc. (www.asci.org) and featured by National Public Radio's SciArts
 (www.sciencefriday.com). Click here (www.janicegordon.net) to see a book about
Matters of the Heart.