The Artist-in-Residence Series exhibit “This Body of Work: Portraits from the Inside Out” by Brett S. Poza, MFA, is currently on display at the Lamar Soutter Library through June 30.
Poza creates her pieces with pyrography, from the Greek “pur” (fire) and “graphos” (writing), a technique in which designs are burnt into materials with a heated instrument and may be colored with other materials.
“These portraits, drawn and burned into maple, birch or Shina plywood, were created from medical images—MRIs, X-rays. CT scans, ultrasounds—technologies generally used to diagnose and create interventions for healing,” said Poza. “Using the technique of traditional pyrography, heat guns and small torches, colored with aquarelles and natural dyes, I have tried to depict each form as something less intimidating and perhaps even beautiful.
“The source material is not anonymous, having been given to me by people I am close to, both family and many friends. Some indicate illness, some ended up being perfectly normal. Representing people of different ages, ethnicities, and race, they reveal everything and nothing—pictures of people from the inside out."
Poza has a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, an MA in expressive therapies from Lesley University and an MFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She worked for many years as an art therapist for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Her work is shown at Viridian Artists gallery in New York City and the Kingston Gallery in Boston.
Launched by the library in 2006, the Artist in Residence series is presented to enhance and enrich the cultural environment for the entire Medical School community and showcase the artistic talent of members and associates of the UMass Chan Community.
Poza’s husband, Ricardo Poza, MEd, is assistant dean of curricular innovation for the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, and their son, Samuel Poza, is a tech support specialist at UMass Chan Medical School.
Artists interested in displaying their work are encouraged to reach out to Becky Baltich Nelson in the library.
Related UMass Chan news story:
‘Burnt Stories’ is latest Artist in Residence exhibit
