Kara Thompson

Kara Thompson
Family tree - Human anatomy

left to right: (‘Cells, the Skin and its Blemishes’) (‘Injury’) (‘Spinal column’) (‘Mixed-the Human body’) (‘Muscles’) (‘Muscular system’) (‘The Digestive system’) (‘The Human Skeletal system’)

Acrylic paint on plywood

I began the year looking at human anatomy, internal human structures, and how we can become injured or sick. This interest stemmed from my aspirations to pursue physiotherapy and/or medicine post high school. The concept of injury is conveyed through the broken radius in my Unit 3 piece ‘Injury’, which I took inspiration from my younger brother Aden who had fractured his arm at the time. Additionally, my love and curiosity of Biology lead me to further explore the human body in terms of our fascinating extent of movement, and how DNA connects individuals.

My final 7-part Unit 4 tableau built upon the human anatomy, by investigating how the body’s organs and systems work together and support one another, enabling us to function. I also incorporated the idea that the figures were linked though DNA, by weaving in genetic similarities like eye colour.

A final presentation of all eight of my works were installed on a wall in a similar configuration to the ancestral framed photographs of my family, which are hung in my loungeroom at home. This influenced in my decision to create an anatomy focused family tree, branching out from two central painted figures, in the interest of demonstrating how family members support one another, functioning like the internal organs of a human. All eight of my pieces were created on wood to include an organic aspect. The wood was cut to size, sanded by hand, coated with PVA glue and then painted in layers with acrylic paint.