SURVEY OF MEDICAL SYMBOLS

An exhibit by WVU Art in the Libraries

This online exhibit, developed by WVU Art in the Libraries, takes a look at the range of history of medical symbols, and the medical symbols in artwork in the WVU Health Science Center. This exhibit includes artwork representing the symbols of medicine as well as other artistic creations that represent symbols, tools, and monuments linked to the history of medicine in various cultures. The healing arts at WVU are well established courses of study educating our future health professionals. The Health Sciences Center is home to the art and study of medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, and pharmacy. WVU is proud to support scientific advancement in these fields as an R1-designated research institution.

West Virginia University Health Sciences

In 2007, the present day Health Sciences Learning Center officially opened. At that time, the renowned outdoor sculptures at the first HSC, “The Pylons”, moved inside the new HSC and were encased. The prominence of “The Pylons” has been reestablished as the focal point for the new entrance lobby. This area now invites visitors into the new William A. Neal Museum of the Health Sciences. As the new gateway, the history of The Pylons is even more significant to remember.

In 1954, the sculptor Milton Horn was commissioned to conceive and create a tribute to the healing arts. The Health Sciences Center’s Pylons were completed and installed in 1956. Horn chose to recognize sixteen moments in the advancement of Health Sciences. Mr. Horn has stated, "At times, one panel symbolizes events that occurred a century or more apart, yet there is unity in each panel and in all of them together." He concludes that the images are meant to create for the students at West Virginia University awareness of our "wholeness" with the medical community of the past, present and future.[1] Horn also created other sculptures at WVU Health Sciences, such as the Ark Reredos.

The museum tells the unique history of the practice of the healing arts in West Virginia, Appalachia and beyond. It is a story of countless ways WVU’s graduates have demonstrated compassion, conducted research and provided services to humanity. Thus Mr. Horn’s remarks about “The Pylons” have been realized, “the images are meant to create for the students at West Virginia University awareness of our "wholeness" with the medical community of the past, present and future. The museum displays and preserves health related artifacts, rare medical manuscripts, and items loaned and gifted by WVU faculty, alumni, and friends of the University. These exceptional gifts help define the role and inspire of every WVU Health Sciences professional: past, present and future.

True to Horn’s artistic mission, The Pylons continue to inspire professionalism, learning and creativity. Examples of this creativity exist as eye-catching murals, framed artwork by contemporary WVU Health Sciences students and staff, and stunning stained glass windows. It is easy to believe “The Pylons” role as a welcoming gateway, and immense natural beauty of West Virginia inspired artists. These works of art showcase the practice of healing arts in ways of unity, collaboration and creativity among WVU’s diverse medical professional community.

What medical inspired art have you seen in the WVU Health Sciences Center? Snap a pic, and post to social media with tags #medicalart , #WVULibraries or email to sally.brown1@mail.wvu.edu to be added to this online exhibit.

[1] https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/about/pylon-history/

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History of the Pylons