Branch Out Neurological Foundation – YOUR BRAIN ON ART 2019
Auction Ends: Oct 30, 2019 09:45 PM MDT

Art

DAWSON, NEIL - 12" x 12" Acrylic on Canvas

Item Number
3
Estimated Value
1000 CAD
Sold
400 CAD to roxyroxy2
Number of Bids
1  -  Bid History

Item Description

TITLE OF PIECE: ‘TMS in the Park’

INSPIRATION FOR THE PIECE - ARTIST NEUROSCIENTIST MATCH UP:

Neil Dawson matched with the Branch Out funded project of Asha Hollis from the University of Calgary and the Hotchkiss Brain institute.

'Magnets for Movement'

The painting is a result of my conversation with Asha Hollis who is investigating Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS.

TMS uses a helmet mounted static magnet to stimulate a specific area of the brain which can facilitate movement of muscles – Asha’s work specifically addresses this phenomenon in young children with cerebral palsy. Asha recounted how the brain area she is targeting helps enhance muscle movement in the hand.

This painting shows a youngster wearing a bike helmet, which of course represents the helmet mounted magnet; the researcher’s hands are seen buckling up the helmet. The youngster’s hands are clearly moving well, and I wanted to capture the social and psychological benefits to the child in being able to be happy and joining in play, so essential to human development.

ARTIST BIO:

@dawsonartalberta

Neil Dawson was born in 1956 in the south of England and grew up in Toronto; he is a Professional Geologist in Calgary. Successful shows over the past 20 years in Toronto, Calgary, and London have led his work being included in corporate and private collections in Canada and the UK.

He says, "My father had been an art student so when I was bored as a child, he would draw an image and giving me paper and pencil, direct me to make a copy. Making and painting pictures became a habit which I have not outgrown. I developed the habit of always carrying a pocket sketchbook and drawing wherever I went, such as when commuting into London by train.

With the arrival of my first child in 1996 and then twins in 2001, I began to develop an acrylic technique which in contrast to watercolours better accommodated a busy life. The images I produce are a reflection of things and scenes I see in my daily life. The figure is often key to my pictures, from musicians and dancers to cowboys and aboriginals, commuters and workers, and lately, hockey players and my children."