By Fong Ku

Medium used: Silkscreen print

Artist Biography

Fong Ku is in her second year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Alberta College of Art and Design. With a previous degree in international development she is drawn to printmaking’s historical role in social and political movements, its emphasis on process and the inter-disciplinary combination of drawing, painting, and in the case of plate preparation, sculpture. Creating a successful print requires the artist to constantly investigate both sides and many layers of an idea, resulting in a varied and meditative practice of intentional mark making in one direction to expose the reflection of the artist’s vision.

Using the artist’s words, summarize the artwork and how they feel it reflects the patient’s moment of meaning

Printmaking’s capacity for producing multiples complements education and awareness initiatives. This silkscreen print, the third in an edition of three, affirms the spirit of cross-sector collaboration, and reminds us of our interconnectedness. Deb, an avid runner, introduced her health condition as the cards she was dealt. Despite severe hip joint degeneration, she insisted on being carried to her treadmill instead of the wheelchair. Card playing’s mix of fate, chance and risk has a long history. This artwork conveys a human fascination as well as one person’s resilience and enormous will to change the rules and play her own game.

Using the artist’s words, describe how they felt about this experience

Devastated by the double diagnosis, Deb has continued her active lifestyle despite acute, chronic pain. The enduring impact of these diseases has been to raise the bar of what living life to the fullest means for her and her family. From being confined to a wheelchair to recently running a 50K race, Deb has consistently made painful choices to define herself, rather than let these diseases define her. Her proudest recent achievement, was running the first leg of a relay, and pacing her husband in for the last. She passed the baton to me and I now pass it on to you.

From Deborah, living with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis

When one is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease you wonder what your life is going to look like in the future and the path that it will take. Working with such talented artists with the “Perspectives” initiative gives my testimony a unique voice. It was wonderful sharing my story and to see what comes out of such creative talent will be breathtaking. Reading what the artist surmised from our pairing touched my heart deeply. My hope is that this initiative takes on many forms to bring awareness to autoimmune diseases and would love to be a part of it once again.

About Perspectives

‘Perspectives – Art, Inflammation and Me’ is an initiative that brings together more than 200 artists with patients in more than 40 countries. Together, they have created a series of paintings, sculptures, photos and other artistic expressions that vividly depict — and help others understand — the impact of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). Inspired by patients’ stories, independent artists and students from a number of art universities created each piece to help more people better understand the burdens associated with some of these chronic and debilitating conditions. In addition to independent artists from all parts of the world, students from more than 15 universities coordinated by the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia) were able to add their “Perspectives.”

Select a thumbnail to see a Canadian image and story.

More than 100 unique artistic expressions from ‘Perspectives – Art, Inflammation and Me’ debuted at the 9th Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) in Copenhagen, Denmark February 20, 2014, generously supported by AbbVie.

Select a thumbnail to see an International image and story.