Capturing our insides with x-rays and paint

There are six x-ray paintings on the walls of the Life Sciences Building (VLSB), accompanying The Inheritors paintings also by artist Jo Hockenhull, donated for the opening of the building.

While visually distinct from The Inheritors, there are common themes between these x-ray paintings and the aforementioned large-scale insectoid painting. 

In 2022, Hockenhull described her process of creating x-ray artwork.

“I created paintings based on x-ray images, where skin, fur and feathers disappeared, and the underlying structures of living creatures are revealed,” she explained.

This notion coincides with an aspect of Hockenhull’s artistic motivations noted in a past VanCougar story on her art: her fascination with the parallels between the anatomies of humans and animals.

Such parallels can be seen in The Inheritors as well, most notably in the blending of ant eggs that hold human babies within.

“DANCER/MANDARIN CRANE (CL-016BRD)” is more expressive, with more color and contrast than the other five pieces. Its more abstract nature makes it more of a mystery to decipher exactly what it is.

Immediately, it appears to be an x-ray of a torso and hips, with arms outstretched past the edges of the canvas, almost resembling the feathered wings of a bird. Simultaneously, the figure depicted is reminiscent of a cut of meat hung in a butcher shop; the pinkish white superficial musculature and connective tissue, juxtaposed against the deep dark red internal cavities of the body. 

This view into the hidden workings of anatomical figures is reflected in The Inheritors, as the DNA, organs, and detritivores on display in that artwork highlight this exploration of the unseen.

The diversity of artwork donated by Hockenhull to VLSB offers stark differences in visual style and composition, as well as commonalities. By comparing this painting series to The Inheritors, we can identify these recurring motifs and themes in Hockenhull’s artwork. 

Across all pieces lies a fascination with the parallels and differences between the physiology of humans and animals, anatomical imagery, themes of life and death, and examining the underlying mechanisms of the world around us through a scientific view.