See the paintings, photographs, sculptures, and more created by cochlear recipients that cultivate an inspiring atmosphere throughout the Cochlear office building located in Colorado.
As the saying by Harvey Fierstein goes, “art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.” So then, what better way to decorate a new office space than with pieces of artwork that do just that? The Cochlear team is continually inspired by the strength and resilience of cochlear implant recipients. The stories and videos we read, watch, and share every day celebrate the incredible and unique hearing journeys of our Cochlear family members. When the time came to move buildings, Cochlear called on our recipients and their family members and friends to submit their hearing-inspired artwork.
Thank you to everyone who participated and submitted their beautiful pieces; we were overwhelmed by the creativity, emotion, and passion that shines through each one. The chosen pieces of cochlear recipient artwork are filling the hallways, offices, and conference rooms at our new headquarters. Although we are managing some scheduling delays presented by COVID-19, we anticipate having all pieces installed by the fall 2020.
We will continue to update the Inspire Us website as additional pieces are installed throughout our office! Check out a few pieces (among many) that are inspiring employees in the new Cochlear Americas headquarters.
“Bilateral Cochlea Head”
Anina from Montrose, Colorado is a recipient who has channeled her own experiences to create this dynamic digital black and white photograph. Anina explains: “The model represents me and happens to have a Cochlea as a head, and she is facing herself. The labyrinth is the time it takes to adjust to the new world of sound. Not only does this represent patience, persistence, and perseverance, this diptych also represents courage and strength.”
Anina has had this piece displayed at Spark Gallery in Denver and Agora Gallery in New York. You can see more of her work at studioanina.com.
“Connie the Cochlea”
Saahi from Ontario, Canada is a recipient that has been hard of hearing since the age of thirteen. She had a fear of not being able to fit in with her peers in mainstream schools so she subjected herself to social isolation. At age 19, she received her cochlear implant and decided to dedicate herself to the field of Audiology. Today, she is studying the Doctor of Audiology program and mentoring others who are interested in cochlear implants.
Connie the cochlea has been her solace, her calming agent. Saahi elaborates about her inspiration “My artwork displays Connie the cochlea with semicircular canals. Just like many artists out there that receive inspiration from an environment around them, I am no exception. My experiences so far in audiology school have been invigorating, and I cannot get enough of it. When I turn to art to wind down at the end of the day, audiology doesn’t seem to leave my mind.
Hence, I drew Connie the Cochlea earlier this year with fine tip permanent markers when I was studying auditory biology and head and neck anatomy in school. I hope everyone gets to see how tiny our cochleas are, yet how prominent its significance is in our daily lives.
Because of the technology, “I can hear now and always!”
“The Texture of Language”
John from Salem, Oregon submitted a beautiful painting to illustrate how language is so much more than sounds. “Words, phrases, sentences have not only a sound but a feeling, a texture. With hearing loss, the sound may fade but the feeling remains in memory. We can call it up when we need or want to. Cochlear helps keep us in sound and feeling together for a richer life.”
To see even more of the amazing hearing-inspired cochlear recipient artwork we received, visit our Inspire Us website.
Written by the “Inspire Us Team”
