Art exhibition raises $30,000
An exhibition featuring artworks from former Western Health anaesthetist Dr Bob Smith has raised over $30,000 to support patient care and research.
For decades Dr Smith spent his working days with patients' lives in his hands. As an anaesthetist, he had an incredible view and perspective into life and death surgery, which he captured in a unique collection of paintings and drawings.
Last month Dr Smith showcased 30 years of his artwork, with an exhibition held at the Melbourne Fine Art Gallery. The exhibition featured over 40 pieces including paintings and sketches showcasing surgeons, patients and operations undertaken at Western Health.
From the removal of a cancerous tumour to the reattachment of a severed limb, each artwork provided a unique insight into a fascinating side of surgery rarely seen outside the operating theatre.
Through taking photos and drawings while in theatre, Dr Smith would then recreate the scene on canvas, with many of his colleagues and associates featured in his paintings.
"What I really liked is the skills people showed and the cooperation between the surgeons, the anaesthetists," says Dr Smith.
"Through this exhibition it was my intention to not only raise money for Western Health, but to also pay tribute to the many colleagues I have worked with throughout my career."
Colleagues and associates of Dr Smith who were profiled in his paintings were eager to snap up a unique momento.
"I was very flattered by Bob's painting of me. I thought it was really remarkable," said Mr Simon Knight, cardiothoracic surgeon at Footscray Hospital.
Additional commissions from the exhibition are set to keep Dr Smith busy in the months ahead, further adding to his fundraising efforts.
If you have an idea for hosting a fundraiser in support of Western Health, contact 8345 7660 or email [email protected].
