Sir Roy Calne, now 83 years old, is well known for his pioneering work in transplant surgery and the development of crucial immunosuppression techniques. His medical successes have brought him multiple accolades, including recently the prestigious Lasker Award, the Lister Medal, the Ellison-Cliffe Medal and two nominations for the Nobel Prize.

Having transplanted, and then studied art under, famous Scottish artist, John Bellany, Calne finetuned an already active interest In painting, to become a respected painter and sculptor. His works have been shown at the Royal Academy and the Barbican, UK. The vibrant still-life, and figurative paintings, as well as the movement of his bronzes, draw on expert understanding of form, anatomy and colourist inclinations. Calne’s art takes many subjects - from wildlife, to land/cityscapes and flowers from his gardens. A large segment of his work engages with transplantation, either through drawing patients or depiction of medical procedures.

In painting portraits of patients, Calne discovered a new way to communicate with them, breaking down the intimidating formalities of the doctor-patient relationship. He came to understand the therapeutic value of art, both for himself and his patients, especially extremely ill young children. His paintings of colleagues who have played such a crucial role in developing transplantation as a viable treatment, and of scenes of surgery, seek to record the phenomenal strides forward that have been made in the last fifty years. All of his works a celebration and energetic appreciation of the gift of life. Calne’s artwork is in numerous private and public collections – and this solo is his fifth in South East Asia with Shalini Ganendra Fine Art.(Part proceeds will benefit the Malaysian Transplant Society.)

Image: © Sir Roy Calne, Shalini Ganendra Fine Art