The art inspiring us
David Hartman M.D. 2020.
Ayotunde Ayobello
Oil on canvas, braille
Painted during his residency in Roanoke, Virginia, Ayobello pays tribute to Dr. Hartman, a physician who lost his sight at a young age due to a genetic condition yet never abandoned his dream of practicing medicine. For Ayobello, the challenges of medical school were daunting even with sight; to complete the journey without vision seemed almost unimaginable. Dr. Hartman’s perseverance, resilience, and mental toughness became a source of inspiration.
In creating this portrait, Ayobello faced a paradox; how do you paint for someone who cannot see? The answer came in the form of Braille, which he painstakingly learned and incorporated directly into the composition. The result is not just a portrait to be seen, but also one to be read through touch, a work of art transformed into a bridge between worlds of perception.
More than a likeness, this piece stands as a meditation on determination and the dismantling of excuses. It honors a man who, in refusing to be defined by limitation, became a living testament to human possibility.
Not for sale