Artist Statement
This painting was conceptualized after a particularly impactful patient visit. During the visit, the patient described a traumatic event in greater detail, stating that the doctor and I were the first people he had ever spoken to about the event.
I felt both honored and disheartened by this statement. I was honored that this man trusted us with this knowledge. Still, I was immensely sad that he dealt with the trauma of this event alone for decades. I believe he released some of the grief, pain, anger, fear, and hurt when he shared his burden with us, and I will be forever honored that he did.
It became apparent to me, that to honor the Sacred Oath, we must embrace each patient without bias and create a safe, inclusive space. My experience showed me that physicians can be the catalyst to healing trauma. This happens when physicians welcome diversity, respect different perspectives, and respond to vulnerability not with judgment, but with compassion, empathy, understanding, and love.
I processed and released that experience into this acrylic painting. I drew the veins to be anatomically correct and layered superficial veins over the deep veins. The outline is my father's right hand.
The background is serenity, ease, and calm, similar to a river. However, the man in the river contains consuming chaos, pain, hate, and anger that courses through his veins and poisons his soul.
I intentionally juxtaposed chaotic pain with impassive calmness, to illustrate the psychological state of so many men who were taught the "masculine" way of dealing with trauma.
Recommended Citation
Asuquo, Jessica
(2025)
"The Masculine Way,"
be Still: Vol. 9, Article 14.
Available at:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/bestill/vol9/iss1/14
Included in
Fine Arts Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Medical Humanities Commons, Painting Commons, Photography Commons, Psychology Commons
About the Artist
I am a 4th year medical student at NSU-KPCOM.