by Alicia González Martínez, Resident and Research Fellow Section (RRFS) Secretary, on behalf of the EAN RRFS Office
This year the EAN Resident and Research Fellow Section announced the first edition of the NeuroART competition, which concluded with an engaging exhibition of artistic talent from the neurology community and an award ceremony at the EAN Congress 2024 in Helsinki. The competition sought to blend the realms of art and neurology, inviting participants to explore and express their understanding of neuroscience through various artistic mediums.
Overview of the Competition
In celebration of the EAN’s ten-year milestone, the RRFS invited its members to participate in the NeuroArt Competition, which featured three exciting categories: Photography and Painting; Music, Dance, and Video; and Poetry and Short Essays. This initiative aimed to foster engagement, collaboration, and creativity within the RRFS community to enhance the wellbeing of its members and to promote the public’s understanding of neurology and neuroscientific research through art.
NeuroART Winners
The winners of the travel grants, announced during the general assembly on 1 July (onsite and online) are:
Robyn Wilcha – Awarded in the category ‘Poetry and Short Essays’
Read Robyn’s winning poem Visual Snow, here.
Tatjana Marhivka – Awarded in the category ‘Photography and Painting’
See Tatjana’s winning painting here.
Mihai Radu Ionescu – Awarded in the category ‘Music, Dance, and Video’
Watch Mihai’s winning music video here.
These winners were selected for their outstanding contributions, creativity, and the ability to encapsulate complex neurological concepts through their art. Their works not only reflect their artistic prowess but also their deep understanding and passion for neurology. Each winner received a travel grant to be used for the upcoming 11th EAN Congress in Seville.
Significance of the Competition
The NeuroArt competition serves as a unique platform for neurologists, neuroscientists, and residents to engage with their field in a creative and reflective manner. By encouraging the integration of art and science, the competition aims to foster a holistic appreciation of neurology, promote mental well-being, and enhance public understanding of neurological research.
This competition not only provides a creative outlet for participants but also aims to communicate complex neurological ideas in an accessible and engaging manner. The successful conclusion of this year’s competition highlights the vibrant intersection of art and science and the significant role that creative expression can play in advancing both personal and professional growth within the neurology community.
For more detailed information about the competition and future events, you can visit the official EAN NeuroART competition page.
The successful conclusion of this year’s competition highlights the vibrant intersection of art and science, and the significant role that creative expression can play in advancing both personal and professional growth within the neurology community.
Keep an eye on next year’s competition for another opportunity to showcase your creative talents and contribute to the growing community of NeuroARTists!
NeuroArt Jury
Dr Jesús Porta-Etessam
President of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), Neurologist,
Madrid, Spain
Coordinator of the Headache, Neuro-ophthalmology and Neurotology Unit, Head of Neurology Section, San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Associate Professor Complutense University of Madrid. Founder of “Art and the butterflies of the soul” art and neurology project
Dr Radhika Patnala PhD
CEO, Endosymbiont
Visual Science Communication and Design Experts for Biotech Neuroscientist
Munich, Germany
Dr Radhika Patnala, a neuroscientist, and the Founder of Sci-Illustrate and Endosymbiont, leads teams to solve design and communication problems for biotech and pharma, while striving to bridge the line between science, art and design. She has served as an Individual Specialist with UNESCO and the co-curator of the Creative Resilience global sci-art exhibit. Her work on COVID-19 communications has been featured by the BBC, and she has been a keynote speaker at the World Health Organization global conference on communicating science during health emergencies.
Sloka Iyengar, PhD
Neuroscientist, Adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, USA
Dr Iyengar is a neuroscientist and practitioner of a traditional Indian dance form called Bharatanatyam, and is passionate about relieving suffering through the sciences and the arts. She curates a forum called Vichaar (the Sanskrit word means ‘thought’ or ‘contemplation’) that explores the points of intersection between the arts and the sciences. She has used Bharatanatyam to present topics such as the impacts of caregiving on the brain; learning, teaching, and pedagogy; and the neural mechanisms of error detection. You can find more about her at https://www.slokaiyengar.net/.
