'Get Well Soon' by Mason Cosmo Pott. Oil on hospital gown. Photo courtesy of artist.
When artist
Mason Cosmo Pott found out he had histoplasmosis, a life-threatening infection affecting the immune system, he didn’t let it detour his life as an artist. After undergoing rigorous treatment and the soul-squelching torrent of facing his illness, Pott came out the other end with a new perspective on his life. Though he finally became clear of his illness, he was left with the scars—physical and mental—of what he went through in recovery. Rather than let it divert his spirits, Pott turned his experience into art.
'Redacted, Patient #9181602' by Mason Cosmo Pott. Oil on ceras. Photo courtesy of artist.
In a collection of harrowing paintings, cold medical sculptures, and gilded tributes to the weight of his reality, Pott uncovers the value of living in the face of adversity. In his
Post-Diagnosis collection, Pott mixes traditional materials such as oil paint and canvas with materials encountered during his treatment, including surgical tools and hospital gowns. His work combines his influences of Neoclassical and Baroque art with modern multimedia experimentation. The result is a disorienting, calculated array of works that are harsh and tender all at once. Through
Post-Diagnosis, Pott showcases his multi-faceted talents as an artist, and subsequently, the value of life as a human being.
Post-Diagnosis
opened at AdventureLand Gallery, 1513 N. Western Ave., on January 6 and will run until January 28. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm. Entry is free. Work will be available for purchase and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Research Institute.