Evan Sharma in Arizona with his MMO sculpture, which he utilizes to stimulate conversation around human health and climate change.

My Experiments in Hope by Evan Sharma - Isabel Event

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Fri, 09/20/2024 - 15:51

The Isabel Bader Centre is currently hosting an exhibit by fourth-year Bachelor of Health Sciences student Evan Sharma, entitled My Experiments in Hope.

When: September 16-27, Monday - Friday from 10:00AM-4:00PM

Location: Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts, Art & Media Lab

Price: FREE

Evan agreed to sit down for an interview with us last week to talk about the show, and how science and art are connected.

What inspired your work for this exhibit & how did it come about?

For this exhibit, called My Experiments in Hope, I’m presenting works from three series. The first is about wildfires, as they are becoming increasingly problematic each summer in Canada (and elsewhere). Next is my 2050 Series, which looks at what famous landscapes will look like in 2050 if we commit to using green resources. It is based on research I did in high school on the enzyme methane monooxygenase (MMO), which reduces methane emissions. For each of the paintings in this series, I mixed MMO directly into the paint. The third and final, called The Last Year, narrates the remaining days of a patient suffering from prion disease. This is a topic I learned about in my microbiology course. The central ethos of the exhibit is based on the intersection of science and art.

I’ve been involved with The Isabel for a few years now. One of my first presentations was when I was 12, and I also painted at a fundraising event there for the School Board. I’m also a lifeguard in Kingston, and I was doing face painting for the kids when one mom came up to me and told me I was doing a great job. My friend then mentioned that I’m a “real artist”, and she then reached out to me to ask if I wanted to do a show at the Isabel.

How do you find that science and art complement each other?

Science and art have been intrinsically linked throughout history. Leonardo Da Vinci is a great example. So much of his work was rooted in both art and science – illustrations of flying machines, and he often used the golden ratio in his art.

One thing I think the Health Sciences program does really well is recognize the importance of the humanities. I see art as a way to visually document what I’m researching and learning. It’s another way of showcasing and highlighting knowledge and ways of thinking.

What message do you hope people take away from the exhibit?

A lot of times, art is very subjective. I’ve been painting for 10 years, and what I typically try to do is ascribe a meaning to my paintings. Because these series all have a scientific basis, I have provided a partial narrative with each painting to stimulate further discussion. Ultimately, the common thread that links these works is about living in equilibrium – the world pushing back against people.

In the show, you’ll see that the paintings highlight the cycle of destruction to regrowth. The first series in particular really showcases this continuous cycle. The second series ties into this theme, pushing the natural world forward. I hope we ask ourselves: How can we play a part in that equilibrium? In the final series, we again see the earth pushing back against us, as prion disease is representative of zoonotic illness.

Do you have any advice for other Health Sciences students?

Looking at my time over the past three years, the [BHSc] program has definitely influenced the way I think and taught me not to be too niche-focused and to be open to a variety of different things. Regardless of your ultimate career goals, you should experience other things and allow yourself to use what you are learning in other avenues (outside of research and academics) and non-traditional paths.

Enjoy your time here. I’ve made great friends from whom I’ve learned a lot.

Learn more about the exhibit here

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My Experiments in Hope by Evan Sharma - Isabel Event