Pandemic fear and anxiety put to canvas by Cambridge doctor

The fear and anxiety of the first wave of the pandemic prompted a radiologist at Cambridge Memorial Hospital to put her paint brush to canvas and create a self-portrait called Frontline.

Dr. Kari Visscher says she wanted the painting to represent the emotions she felt during March of 2020.

"It represents health care workers who continue to provide care despite not always feeling or being properly protected. And it also is a tribute to the disproportionate number of preventable infections and deaths that had occurred in this group during this time," said Visscher.

"I wanted to capture a time where hopefully we never had to go back to, in terms of not understanding the fears around this whole new disease that could potentially impact all of our lives as we do life, the health system, the whole thing."

The painting

Dr. Kari Visscher explains the symbolism in her painting Frontline:

• The left hand gesture: a sign that Visscher borrowed from religious imagery to indicate something important is being said.
• The right hand: holds the I-95 mask, a pivotal piece of protective equipment
• The background: is a coronavirusin its cellular formmoving through tissue. It is painted in yellow and red to create asense of fire and chaos.
• The medical uniform: painted in cooling colours of blue and purple, to quench the COVID heat
• The medical coat: is worn in a way to resemble a cape, hinting at the hero mantra.
• The left leg: her left leg is raised slightly, as if taking a step forward, suggesting a movement, possibly stepping into or out of this pandemic.

Frontline has been entered into a competition called the Faces of Canadian Healthcare. It calls on artists across Canada to submit works that reflect and represent the work of healthcare heroes.

The top prize is $25,000 and will be donated to the winner's healthcare facilityof choice. In this case Dr. Visscher has chosen Cambridge Memorial Hospital to receive the money if her painting wins.

People can vote on their favourite painting until May 17.