My current project explores the correlation between famous historical artists and Epilepsy. Until recently, Michelangelo has been associated with the illness, continuing the archaic trope linking Epilepsy and Greatness. However, a study by Dr. John Hughes, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Illinois denies the truth behind such an association, along with 42 other historical figures thought to have suffered from the illness. 

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By recreating Michelangelo's 'The Creation of Adam' using the chemical structure of my own medication, it creates a link between my self portraits and Michelangelo's original fresco painting. This reiterates the way in which I have grown up associating the artist with the illness. However, the layering and application of the structure makes it hidden, signifying how there can no longer be an explicit link between Epilepsy and Michelangelo, as a consequence of Dr. Hughes' study. 

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Additionally, the relationship between man and God has historically been associated with Epilepsy. Hippocrates' 'On the Sacred Disease' stated the following: 

 

People think that epilepsy is divine simply because they don't have any idea what causes epilepsy. But I believe that someday we will understand what causes epilepsy, and at that moment, we will cease to believe that it's divine.

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To address this relationship further, both 'Adam' and 'God' depicted in the piece both touch a single chemical structure, the only time the structure is completely single in the piece. This fragile source of connection aims to illustrate the frail remnants of a link between Epilepsy and divinity within a 21st Century context.  

 

https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2014/3/rewriting-history-did-all-those-famous-people-really-have-epilepsy