Auction Ends: May 17, 2018 10:00 PM MDT

Art

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Brain on Art: Building a Brain - Acrylic on Canvas, 16" x 16"

Item Number: 128

Estimated Value: 1200 CAD
Sold: 380 CAD to mabweston

Number of Bids: 2 - Bid History

Item Description

Neil Dawson

Building a Brain

Acrylic on Canvas

Finished Size: 16" x 16"

Research Project: Transmagnetic Brain Stimulation for Tourette's Syndrome - Cynthia Kahl, University of Calgary

This painting shows three young boys playing with water; it’s a joyful representation of well socialized, happy children, developing their brains through play and social interaction.

Cynthia Kahl works with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in order to control the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome. This work is clearly so important in making for happy, socialized, interactive children and ultimately productive adults. In her lab, Cynthia showed me how by using magnetic stimulation the brain is induced to produce GABA, which helps suppress the symptoms of Tourette's that can be so disruptive for a child.

The water being poured onto the central figure’s head represents that magnetic stimulation and the consequent happiness and cheerfulness, and socialization and integration of a happy person. As a geologist and artist, I know that good science is an artistic endeavour. The opportunity to iterate with a motivated, imaginative neuroscientist in order to tell the story of this important work, is a truly unusual opportunity. I’m an advocate of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) in education; play builds brains. Science and Art and Play are inseparable. Cynthia and I talked about a playful scene to illustrate the ultimate outcome of a sophisticated science; the central figure is just a kid out playing with his friends.