In the photo-realistic series Anatomical Self-Dissections, artist Danny Quirk depicts several subjects performing dissections on their own bodies. The fine art illustrator takes a surreal approach to visualizing human anatomy by presenting portraitures in which the subjects tear and slice themselves open to unveil the inner workings of various sections of the human body, revealing their muscles, tissue, bones, and organs.
“My anatomical works combine classic poses, in dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, with a very contemporary twist… illustrating what’s underneath the skin, and the portrayed figure dissects a region of their body to show the structures that lay beneath,” says Quirk. “My work is perceivably on the darker side, but the [actuality] is, it’s about exploration.”
The surreal watercolor paintings are part of the aspiring medical illustrator’s growing portfolio of work as he heads into graduate school to pursue his dream job. The life-like renditions start as mere photographs, transform with some expert photo manipulation, and evolve into paintings all at the masterful hand of Quirk. Each painting alone takes anywhere from 20 to 30 hours to complete.
