Join BreastReconstruction.org Board Members Dr. Ron Israeli and Dr. Jonathan Bank on Sunday, September 29, from 1-3 PM at the Art League of Long Island for a reception to celebrate the opening of Retrospect: The Individual Art of Collaboration in Reconstructive Surgery. This retrospective art exhibit showcases individual and collaborative art projects these physicians have created centering breast reconstruction, restoration, renewal, and resilience, with visual contributions from world-renowned photographer Erez Sabag.
The opening reception will feature refreshments alongside opportunities to purchase books with work from these projects. Mix and mingle with the artists and subjects and bear witness to the strength and beauty within these reconstructed people. All proceeds benefit BreastReconstruction.org.
We are so proud of the work our Board of Directors does in and out of the operating room! Read on for more information on the projects within the exhibit, which will be on display September 28-October 18 at 107 E. Deer Park Road, Dix Hills NY, 11746.
Exploring the interplay between personal artistry and collaborative efforts in breast reconstruction, two surgeons who first met around the inception of Dr. Ron Israeli’s “Restored” project (2012), not only forged a partnership in surgical practice, but also a continuing collaboration in the arts. Parallel to their joint efforts, each surgeon pursued individual artistic projects that further explore themes of restoration and resilience.
“Reconstructed” (2018)
“Reconstructed” (2018), conceived by Dr. Jonathan Bank with contributions from Dr. Israeli, was inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with gold. The project uses photography by Erez Sabag to metaphorically represent the process of healing as an enhancement of inherent beauty, rather than merely a repair.
“Before the After” (2021)
In “Before the After” (2021), cropped clinical photographs by Dr. Bank used cropped clinical photos to offer unique insight into the unguarded moments just before and after surgery. The project provides an intimate portrayal of patients’ journeys, highlighting the vulnerable transitions that are rarely seen.
“Restored” (2021)
In 2021, Drs. Israeli and Bank revisited “Restored” in a joint effort that illustrates the evolving nature of their collaboration. Through a tactile medium, a series of sculptures provides an unfiltered window into the physical transformation those who undergo post-mastectomy breast reconstruction experience. Photographs by Sabag complement the sculptures, further expressing the restorative nature of reconstructive surgery.
“Reblossom” (2023)
“Reblossom” saw light in 2023, spearheaded by Dr. Bank and Sabag, drawing an elegant parallel between the regeneration of flowers and the resilience of women undergoing mastectomy. The project’s photographs serve as powerful meditations on survival, renewal, and the beauty in new beginnings.
Surgical Paintings
Throughout these years, Dr. Israeli explored the surgical process through oil paintings. His work provides a glimpse into the operating room, capturing the concentrated efforts of the surgical team and the cooperative spirit of the art of surgery.
This exhibit showcases how combined and individual efforts merge to form a narrative that is as educational as it is inspiring. The works highlight the multifaceted nature of artistic expression in medicine and surgery, emphasizing the impact of collaborative creativity in the healing process. The timeline of their projects—each marking significant phases in their careers—provides a chronological depth to the exhibit, allowing viewers to appreciate the evolution of their artistic and surgical endeavors.
