FHML deans shine in artwork ‘Memories in gold’
The 50th anniversary of the Medicine (Geneeskunde) programme prompted Annemie Schols, dean of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences to give the photo portraits of former deans and herself in the Co Greep room (UNS 60) a new setting and more modern look.
The artwork titled ‘Memories in Gold’ - in Dutch ‘Herinneringen in goud’ - and also known as the deans' wall, was festively “opened” earlier this year by its creator, artist Arjen van Prooijen. Several former deans, who are immortalised in the work, attended the festive opening.
Time for an update
The new artwork replaces the black and white photo portraits in the Co Greep meeting room located on the campus of FHML. The artist had been told that some faculty employees had some comments on the portraits as it were 'only men represented on the wall and to some opinions in a bit too formal atmosphere’.
In 2024, it was therefore high time for a less formal and more playful representation of the 50-year history on the wall.
More than a series of portraits
The new artwork features painted portraits of 19 deans (from the former faculties of Medicine – Geneeskunde - and of Health Sciences – Gezondheidswetenschappen - as well as FHML) and three so-called building deans*. ‘Painting the deans with beards was the most difficult,’ according to the artist. The portraits are positioned in a blue background that matches the furniture of the meeting room, while also symbolising the movement of the River Maas, the sinus and pulse - representing movement and progress
Highlights of a 50-year timeline
The wall captures 50 years of education at FHML. The distance of the actual portraits to the wall corresponds to the number of years the dean has been appointed. The deans who have had more terms are slightly more prominent, creating depth and relief in the wall art. If the sun shines, the portraits light up in the afternoon because of the layer of silk varnish that has been applied, creating a beautiful effect.
* The ‘building deans’ (bouwdecanen) helped build and design courses without having officially held the dean's position. They are pictured at the top left in the artwork.
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