Printed in the American Pain Society Bulletin in the May / June 2004 issue (Volume 14, Number 3)
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Web Site Review
Organization: Pain Art Exhibit
Reviewed by Ronald J. Gironda, PhD
www.painexhibit.com
Site Audience
This is the home page of the PAIN Exhibit, also known as the Pain Exhibit. The stated mission of the site is "to educate healthcare providers and the public about chronic pain through the poignancy of art; and to give voice to the many who suffer in abject silence." The site has had more than 5,000 visitors from 41 different countries since its launch on March 8, but not a single donation. Says project manager Mark R. Collen, "The PAIN Exhibit will not survive the year without funding."
Content Appraisal
This site is an educational exhibit of visual art created by individuals with chronic pain. Each of the 69 pieces in this diverse, well-rounded collection focuses on some aspect of the chronic pain experience. The works are thematically organized into categories such as Portraits of Pain, Pain Visualized, Isolation and Imprisonment, and Hope and Transformation, among others. Accompanying each piece is a brief statement by the artist, which provides greater depth of understanding of the individual's phenomenology and generally adds to the impact of these works. The site also includes background information regarding the project, its funding, and the use of art to communicate the experience of chronic pain. Educators who would like to use the works for instructional purposes are provided with the necessary information. There are no commercial banners or hyperlinks on this site, although donations are solicited.
Navigation/Ease of Use
The site is fully accessible to anyone, requires no registration, and is well-maintained. It is simply designed and easy to navigate. Verbal content is logically organized into a few general categories and presented in a straightforward, readily accessible manner. The site does not have a search engine, but it is not missed.
Recommendations
This fascinating site should have broad appeal to APS members. Not only is the art aesthetically intriguing, but also it truly provides a provocative glimpse into the personal experience of those who suffer with chronic pain. An example of the art that can be viewed on the PAIN Exhibit site is presented below. Perhaps the most compelling reason for APS members to visit this site is to be reminded of the sentiment captured by the statement that accompanies this work.
"Reflection" by Hester Stekelenburg.
Featured courtesy of PainExhibit.com. |
"This is what my work is about. Trying to make an invisible illness visible. Trying to get the inside out. I am also dealing with the fact that people around me can't see what is wrong. They don't know that I live with pain every single day and that I don't have another choice but to learn to live with it. People tell me not to overreact and that I need to loose the dramatic way of feeling pain. How easy it is for them to forget and how difficult it can be for the one who lives with pain."
Reviewer content represents the opinion of the reviewer, not APS.
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Article courtesy of ampainsoc.org
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