Written In Partnership with Digital Nod
Back to Healing (BTH), a non-profit organization led by Marcus John, partnered with Cedars- Sinai Medical Center for a one-of-a-kind exhibit. Marcus John is a 34-year old creative director and philanthropist who amazingly merged the art, fashion, art, tech, and medicine industries.
Together with BTH and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Marcus John is proving once more that the said industries can effectively merge.
Aside from Marcus, the exhibition is made possible by Dr. Lindsay Ross, a neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She was so impressed and inspired by the unique, creative, and impactful work BTH does, so she immediately contacted the hospitals and Art Curator, John Lange. The rest was history.
“There’s typically a two- to five-year process and wait that everyone has to go through to even be considered to be featured on the walls at Cedars-Sinai as an artist, but Dr. Ross and John Lange were so moved by my work that they made it happen in less than 2 months,” Marcus stated.
When Marcus John realized that he did something that has been never done before, he felt so honored. After all, anyone who gets featured by the hospital with a multimillion-dollar (and the most prestigious) art collection in the United States will certainly feel honored.
The exhibition consisted of 10 large-scale black and white portraits of five inspiring people from all walks of life that have been severely affected by scoliosis. It also purposefully and dynamically focuses on the unique individuals and their inspiring stories of overcoming the limitations and challenges of scoliosis through positive and impactful living.
Each photo captures the magnificence of every person through structured black and white photography. Every photo portrays the silhouette that best represents their beauty with a deeper message that beauty is not only skin deep.
The photos were taken by photographers Giuliano Correia and Troy Anthony. Marcus John creative directed all the works featured in the BTH exhibition.
Interestingly, the Back to Healing exhibition is located at the most visited area of the hospital (on the Plaza Level adjacent to Starbucks).
Getting the said spot indicates how important the exhibit is to the hospital.
The exhibit is also among the ranks of original pieces by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and other legendary artists featured by Cedars-Sinai. But it’s not just about the art.
Cedars-Sinai has a prominent spine division. Back to Healing’s mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals affected by scoliosis through mental health, awareness, empowerment, and education.
Hence, it made perfect sense for Back to Healing and Cedars-Sinai to collaborate and do something special and unforgettable.
Through the power of art therapy and representation, the carefully curated Back to Healing exhibition inspires, educates, and helps those affected by scoliosis cope with and recover from trauma. It was literally the perfect collaboration― even better than coffee and donuts.
Due to tight COVID restrictions in LA, the exhibition is only currently open
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