Reclaiming Narratives: Voices from the College of Medicine and Health
16 November 2024 – 26 January 2025
Print-bay display. Free entry.
Who controls the narratives around medicine’s history? And do the portraits on the walls of our medical school really represent those who work and learn there?
In 2021 and 2022, the Barber teamed up with the College of Medicine and Health (CMH) and local artists in a project led by our Student Engagement Coordinator Kirsty Clarke. Under the umbrella of ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ the aim was for students to reflect on their sense of belonging in their place of study and consider the artworks on display in their college.
In the first part of the project ‘Reclaiming the Foxglove’ CMH students came together to create art and share stories celebrating the healing properties of nature and the power of storytelling. Inspired by the Medical School’s portrait of William Withering (1741-1799), they explored the forgotten women and the hidden lives whose healing hedgerow tea formed the basis of Withering’s research into the medical uses of digitalis sourced from foxglove flowers. Sessions were led by writer and horticulturist Alys Fowler, writer Adrian B. Earle, poet Jasmine Gardosi and Kirsty to explore these ideas in creative ways.
The second instalment of the project ‘Reclaiming the Portrait’ encouraged students to document their college and today’s student experience in a series of portraiture workshops with award-winning artist Marley Starskey Butler. Participants reflected on what the portraits the college displays suggest about the institution, its past and present. Students worked closely with Marley to celebrate the ‘hidden’ lives and stories around the college, through photography, crafting their own additions to University of Birmingham archives.
The resulting display includes colourful and dynamic Reclaiming the Foxglove posters created by the students and staff as well as portraits by Marley Starskey Butler and CMH students along with a Reclaiming the Portrait photo zine. You can find the zine in libraries across the University campus.
We would like to give a special thank you to the CMH Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team who commissioned this project, and to all the CMH colleagues and students who feature.
