Filled with unassuming warmth, introspection, and humility, my APPLE partner was the rare type of person whose gentle presence leaves one brimming with gratitude for the opportunity to have known and been known by him. Tragically, he passed away from his illness in the spring of this year. During our final meetings, we discussed his goals and wishes for the remainder of his life, as well as his coming to terms with the progression of his illness. In creating this piece, it was my hope to bring together his thoughts and feelings in a cohesive way, while simultaneously recognizing that I had only scratched the surface of who he was and is as a person. Each verse reflects a snapshot of an idea or topic that we discussed in those final meetings.
About the Artist: Kira Panzer
I was drawn to SCOPES for the opportunity to get to know my APPLE partner on a deeper level through artistic collaboration, as well as for the challenge of creating artwork that reflects the complexities of what I have learned throughout the course of our relationship. My interest in medical humanities extends back to a memorable class in college, one that combined my interests in Neuroscience and French while exploring the writings of Gustave Flaubert, a 19th century French novelist who incorporated his personal experiences with epilepsy into his literary fiction.
