Anatomical Society International Undergraduate Anatomy Arts & Crafts Competition

​Virtual Exhibition 2025
Theme: Global perspectives of anatomy – bringing together the global community and recognising differences while celebrating similarities

Curated By Dr Ourania Varsou

Welcome to the virtual exhibition of the 2025 Anatomical Society International Undergraduate Anatomy Arts and Crafts Competition

Winner

Harry Stewart, Renal Reflection

Inspiration: Throughout my life, I have always had a keen interest in human biology, and a creative passion for art. Although some say they are polar opposites, I think they are intertwined in many ways. I like to think of a kidney as a representation of the human life cycle. It strongly resembles a foetus, even in its fully grown form as I have depicted in my painting. It shows how despite our differences, deep down, from conception to adulthood, we all share an essential and beautiful makeup. That is the message I intend to convey through my painting, 'Renal Reflection’.

Runner Up

Emily Flint, Hiraeth
 
Inspiration: The aim of my painting is to illustrate the unity that exists between humans around the world, not only through translations of words, but also by shared fascinations to understand the beauty and intricacies of the human body. I did this by capturing photographs illustrating the beautiful bond between two of my family members, and then used these photographs as a basis for my artwork.

Third Place (Joint)

Aram Al Siyabi, Heart of Cultures

Inspiration: I created this digital piece on my iPad, beginning with the anatomy of the human heart, the body’s center, divided into chambers. Inside those chambers I placed symbols of global cultures: a dragon and pagoda for East Asia, a golden-domed mosque for the Arab/Islamic world, a Greek classical statue and column for Europe, an African mask and savanna, and a guitar for Latin traditions. Textiles, flowers, and science motifs weave them together. Different histories, one heartbeat: our cultures vary, but the same heart sustains us all.

Third Place (Joint)

Daniela Perrone, Cross The Ocean

Inspiration: Although brains share the same structures-gyri, sulci, basal ganglia-they bear a unique fingerprint foundation of identity. The caudate nucleus is a labyrinth; the thalamus a shell; the globus pallidus a lock; the putamen a pendulum. Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas are inscribed in the dominant hemisphere for language in only ~10% of individuals, emphasizing cerebral diversity. The nucleus accumbens contains the universal language. The claustrum, depicted as ocean waves, orchestrates these networks, unifying perception, emotion, memory, and action, reflecting the vast depth of consciousness. The opera invites viewers to traverse this inner sea, exploring subtle individual differences beneath similarity. 

Third Place (Joint)

Sagdiana Ashurova, Cranium in Flower

Inspiration: This piece emerged as a response to the inspiration I received from my anatomy instructor, who helped me appreciate the deeper beauty of the skull’s structure. The papier-mache base is adorned with patterns echoing Uzbek adras, allowing local cultural identity to intersect with an international perspective on anatomy. I enhanced the reflective effect in the orbital areas with faceted elements, symbolizing the inner radiance of knowledge. While painting, I followed the natural contours of the skull to highlight its intrinsic harmony. Participating in the IFAA World Anatomy Day 2025 theme makes this work my contribution to the global dialogue on human similarities and differences.

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