COLUMBUS, Ohio — A group of Ohio State’s pre-med students learned the ins and outs of the human body using paint.
Anthony Baker took his love for art to a new level Sunday afternoon. In his day to day he works as a medical illustrator in Ohio State’s Health Science Library, but he loaned his talent and skill to the pre-med students of Phi Delta Epsilon, an international pre-med fraternity on campus.
They hosted a fundraising event for Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“I’ve never actually drawn my art on an actual human body before, so it’s an interesting experience,” said Baker.
He grew a passion for art and science while in art school. Now back on a college campus, he looks for ways to pay it forward. When he heard students wanted to paint anatomy to mimic art, he jumped on the opportunity to share his passion.
“The surface is made up of what’s underneath it,” said Baker. “This bump is there because there’s a bone under here, this bump is because there’s a muscle, and things like that. It made me very curious to learn about what’s underneath the surface, which lead to learning more about the body.”
Baker isn’t alone in his love for science and art. Julius Cooper is the painting chair for the co-ed pre-med fraternity. He said that this fundraiser was a great way to allow pre-med students to explore their creative side.
“In my free time, I like art every now and then and I feel like I don’t always get the chance to do that as a pre-med student so this allows me the chance to combine both of those passions,” said Cooper.
When the bodies were finished, they spelled out the famous O-H-I-O, to mimic Baker’s original illustration. Along with anatomy paintings, people could paint their own tattoos for a $5 donation on another body. Baker said this project was a great way to mix education with philanthropy.
“Art is best in service of science or teaching of science as a visual tool and as a learning tool,” said Baker.
This is the co-ed fraternity’s first Life Mimics Art event, but they will have an anatomy inspired fashion show in the spring.
