Slowly, 2024

Slowly, 2024

Fatty liver (non-alcoholic)

Artist statement:

I decided to create a triptych of three pieces using blending techniques with alcohol-based markers on paper. I was depicting the transition from healthy tissue to dying tissue, not necessarily aiming for a literal depiction, but more of a gradual change of color warmth and texture to convey the feeling of the disease.

Medical description:

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) surrounds a spectrum of hepatic conditions varying in severity, including steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Central to NAFLD pathology is the accumulation of fatty deposits within hepatocytes. Symptoms are often exacerbated by comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Overtime, hepatocytes accumulate and are susceptible to break down resulting in liver damage and potentially leading to progressive liver dysfunction. Patients with NAFLD may remain asymptomatic for some time, even in advanced stages of the disease; however, as the condition progresses, individuals may exhibit typical symptoms such as hepatomegaly, jaundice, and ascites. Age-related hepatic changes are greatly attributed to an approximately 35-50% reduction in liver volume. As a result, drug metabolism, which occurs in the liver, is reduced, causing elderly individuals to be at a greater risk for toxicity from certain medications. Asymptomatic patients may struggle with medication adherence due to the absence of noticeable physical changes. Therefore, it becomes imperative to educate patients about the significance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, particularly for those diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as unhealthy choices increase their susceptibility to cardiovascular events (Wu et al., 2023). Additionally, patients must understand the importance of abstaining from alcohol consumption, as alcohol metabolism by the liver can exacerbate their condition (Protopapas et al., 2021).

Flores, Chelsea

2024

Kamara, Nampie; Robinson, Kayla; Moore, Alexis; Pham, Kim; Maris, Samantha

In Copyright- This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights.

Tryptic, alcohol markers on acrylic paint paper ; each painting 2.5 x 3.5 in.