Great achievements in modern medicine have enhanced our knowledge and treatment of many diseases, but understanding what it feels like to be sick requires more than technological advances and medical science. The facts of disease are objective and readily available, whereas illness is subjective, less accessible, difficult to teach, and sadly, often neglected. Although the developed world has been
relieved of many scourges, chronic illness is widespread and increasing in prevalence. Few are spared the experience of illness or can avoid being touched by it, either personally or because of the misfortune of a loved one. Kindness, compassion and concern for the dignity of those who suffer do not come naturally and need fostering. This is best achieved with some understanding of the human experience of illness. The Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) will host an International Symposium featuring an overview of illness as expressed not only in the visual arts but also in fiction, poetry, music, narrative, dialogue and cinema. This will accompany an international art exhibition entitled Living/Loss: The Experience of Illness in Art at the Glucksman Gallery, Cork (23 November, 2012 - 10 March, 2013). The target audience is anyone who cares about the human experience of illness. A book capturing the essence of the Symposium and Exhibition will be published later in 2013. Admission is free, but registration is required.
