Artful Determinants of Health
At SPRC, we use public health data to create art with the purpose of bridging health equity conversations through artistic expression. Through art we have been able to have conversations with people of all ages and backgrounds about complex topics in public health.
The Snake
By: Geraldine Puerto and Germán Chiriboga
Layer #1: Worcester, MA
The gears and chain in this layer outline the map of the City of Worcester. They also represent the systems that exist that perpetuate health inequities.
This layer also contains a constrictor snake that represents Interstate-290. While in some ways the highway created opportunities, it also physically divided communities and placed many at a disadvantage. Here, the snake is squeezing the life out of communities, represented by the triple-decker and a historical building (Shaarai Torah East). 290 is here as an example of how a structure in our physical environment that was originally aimed for progress could be a contributor to what now are deep seated disparities connected to social determinants of health.
Layer #2: Race/Ethnicity in Worcester
Latinx and Black/African American Populations
This layer contains rhododendron flowers that are often times associated with positive symbolism such as light, warmth, strength, and vitality. The yellow/orange rhododendrons represent the highest concentration of Latinx populations in Worcester, MA neighborhoods while the purple rhododendrons represent the highest concentration of Black and African American populations. The darker the shade, the higher the concentration. The stems that you see here are in the shape of anchors that represent how these populations are held down by social vulnerabilities.
Layer #3: Social Vulnerability
This layer contains borage flowers that symbolize resilience. The flowers are positioned in neighborhoods that are most socially vulnerable based on the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). SVI uses variables such as socioeconomic status, household composition and disability, minority status and language, and housing type and transportation. The images surrounding the map in this layer, represent some of those variables.
Layer #4: Well-Child Visits
This layer contains dandelion flowers that symbolize happiness, youth, health, power, perseverance, and determination. The flowers are positioned in neighborhoods that are not meeting the minimum number of well-child visits that are recommended for a given age group. Well-child visits are an important opportunity to not only follow up on development but also on socially connected needs for children and their families.
Unveiled during the Child Health Equity Summit on May 25, 2022 in Worcester, MA.
Recuerda La Memoria
Remember the Memory
By: José Criollo and Germán Chiriboga
A Health Equity Multi-Media Installation including recycled sculpture, drawing, and public health storytelling.
This is a 3-piece installation to discuss health equity for Latinos during the COVID pandemic. We used a blend of recycled material sculpture, drawing, and public health storytelling to convey messages of vaccination, hesitancy, empathy, and discussion of data through deep cultural symbology. 3 is a very important number in this installation as it connects to the 3 main COVID waves in Massachusetts, which proved the most deadly for Latinos across the state.
La Puerta
The door pays homage to those who were convalescent and isolated during the pandemic, and this is evident in the frame as it is made out of a bed frame. The door invites the viewer to engage in a visualization of isolation and mourning from 2 sides. The key at the door represents the vaccine as it is modeled after a messenger RNA molecule.
La Ofrenda
The altar/offering is an alternative rendition to a traditional Mexican Ofrenda. It represents 3 levels (underground, the middle ground, and the heavens). We used 3 materials to include the three levels, wood, stone, and metal. This Ofrenda Celebrates the memory of Salvador Rodríguez, a wonderful human being that represents many of the narratives, lived experiences, and identities of many Latinos across the state.
El Féretro
The coffin represents the third element of this installation. As a shock piece, it has a mirror where the viewers can see themselves inside the perspective of the person who was lost to the pandemic as well as a narrative about the experience by his daughter reflected through the one-way mirror. This effect aims at positioning the viewer as a reflection of empathy.
The work was funded by the Creative Intersections grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. Unveiled during the “Día de Los Muertos” Celebration on Oct. 30, 2021 in Worcester, MA.
Authors: José Criollo (sculpture and concept), Fernando Ponce (Video Editing), Germán Chiriboga (sculpture and concept, drawing, and storytelling development).
Still Here
By: José Criollo and Germán Chiriboga
Unveiled during the “Día de Los Muertos” Celebration on Oct. 30, 2021 in Worcester, MA.
Perseverancia
Perseverance
By: Geraldine Puerto
Unveiled during the “Día de Los Muertos” Celebration on Oct. 30, 2021 in Worcester, MA.
La Ofrenda created by Mayra Rojas Correa and El Tapete created by Geraldine Puerto
“Data is just numbers until someone turns it into information. Art is a way that an audience can connect to the information...”
— Tracie Wilkie, Director, Population Health Reporting & Analytics at UMass Memorial Medical Group