Exhibition

Pathos Ocularis - The Beautiful and the Curious

22 Sep 2019 – 1 May 2020

Regular hours

Monday
10:00 – 18:00
by appointment
Tuesday
10:00 – 18:00
by appointment
Wednesday
10:00 – 18:00
by appointment
Thursday
10:00 – 18:00
by appointment
Friday
10:00 – 18:00
by appointment

Save Event: Pathos Ocularis - The Beautiful and the Curious9

I've seen this

People who have saved this event:

close

College of Optometrists

London
England, United Kingdom

Event map

Iluá Hauck da Silva, an artist and glassmaker specialising in works of anatomical and pathological symbolism, is the museum's third-ever ‘artist-in-residence’. In 2019 the College invited her to produce works inspired by her own experience of dry eye, diplopia and photophobia.

About

Drawing inspiration from the Museum’s collections, as well as from medical, scientific, and historical research conducted in the College library, Iluá set out to create a modern-day cabinet of curiosities dedicated to eyes, exploring the same aspects she has previously explored in other organs such as the heart: beauty, anatomy, pathology, and symbolism.

As a glass artist, she inevitably chose to make glass eyes, thus establishing a visual and conceptual dialogue with the existing ones in the collection. Note how some of them feature a double pupil.

Iluá also drew inspiration from elements of pre-scientific knowledge, such as the iconography of Saint Lucy, as well as aspects of the histories of optometry and ophthalmology in the work to be made - drawings, photographs, digital images, and glass objects. The results of her research were combined with facets of her own ocular medical history. There are many clues to this in her digital self-portrait.

Iluá recalls: 'In 2015, a severe ear infection spread into my head, infecting my petrous bone. Internal swelling led to sixth nerve palsy and acute diplopia. I was diagnosed at Moorfields Hospital, and subsequently Dr Gordon Plant and his team at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital looked after me. Hence, developing work about ocular pathology and health feels particularly pertinent to me. I would also like to explore the symptoms I still suffer with: eye dryness and photophobia. Thus, creating art that raises awareness of them, as well as how to prevent and soothe their symptoms, would not only be relevant, but important to the general public'.

Iluá researching her ideas in the College of Optometrists Library, January 2019

Iluá has been working as a professional artist for over ten years. She graduated from Goldsmiths College, University of London, in 2002, and is currently enrolled on an MA in Christianity and the Arts at King’s College London. She also trained as a glassmaker in the UK and in France. Her practice is focused on investigating the human condition visually. Hence, body parts feature heavily in her work, as the signifier for different conundrums of our human nature and experience. In 2017 she began producing miniature internal organs, such as hearts, livers, and lungs in glass. So far, the hearts have been exhibited with success in Boston, USA. Iluá has held solo exhibitions for the National Trust at Sutton House, Brompton Cemetery (The Royal Parks), Museu Padre Lima, Brazil, and the Augustijnenklooster in Gent, Belgium. Group shows include The Savill Garden (The Royal Landscape), The Mall Galleries, Lacey Contemporary Gallery, National Trust, Kabinett Gallery (Boston), Shoreditch Town Hall, York Art Gallery, and York Saint Mary’s. She also been nominated twice for each the following three art awards: Aesthetica Art Prize, Passion for Freedom, and Winter Pride Awards.

What to expect? Toggle

Exhibiting artistsToggle

Ilua Hauck Da Silva

Comments

Have you been to this event? Share your insights and give it a review below.