Emily Powell

Outside Looking In | Oil paint 2024-25

This piece is a reflection of my time as a child, teen, and later adult who experienced disembodiment as a result of a congenital dental birth defect. Around age eight I lost both my upper lateral incisor baby teeth, which was not followed by any adult tooth eruptions. I was then diagnosed with hypodontia: the developmental absence of one or more teeth. My life, up until around 19 years of age, consisted of dental visits & procedures to replace my teeth. My experience ultimately gave me the motivation to become a dentist & to make sure that others have a much easier experience than I did. I try to highlight the idea that, although as health professionals who form close connections with patients over the years, we are often only understanding surface level details or the details that patients are willing to disclose that may be affecting their quality of care. I am now always on the outside looking in, however through my art I make an effort to remember exactly how it felt to be on the inside looking out. This oil painting features a surreal, almost anatomical depiction of an open mouth resembling the textures of the tongue, gums, and teeth. Surrounding the central mouth motif, bright yellow stars are scattered across the canvas, acting as a nostalgic nod to childhood, symbolizing innocence or wonder amidst the raw, visceral subject matter. The contrast between the fleshy, hyper-textured mouth and the playful stars is meant to create tension, blending themes of growth, identity, and memory.

Emily is a student at the College of Dentistry.