Many artists draw inspiration from events in their lives. Dylan Mortimer is no exception, as his art is inspired by his cystic fibrosis. He creates art that mimics lungs, operating rooms, and surgery scars, as he wants to make something beautiful out of the things that many people usually interpret as scary or sad. He speaks of his gratitude for his life and the things that he loves, and he puts this love into his art.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that is characterized by progressive damage to the respiratory and digestive systems. Those with cystic fibrosis do not have the slippery mucus that is normally found in the lungs. Instead they have thick and sticky mucus which builds up in their system. This buildup causes clogs in the airways, which then traps bacteria and causes breathing problems, infections, lung damage, and respiratory failure. It can also block digestive enzymes, which makes it difficult to absorb nutrients. Cystic fibrosis affects one in every 2,500 to 3,500 Caucasian babies, and it is even rarer in other ethnicities.
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive disorder, meaning that the mutated gene must be passed down by both parents. The gene responsible for this condition affects the protein that regulates salt movement. The mutation in the gene varies in severity as well.
Symptoms of cystic fibrosis affect the respiratory and digestive systems. They include persistent coughing and wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty exercising, frequent lung infections, stuffy noses, trouble with gaining weight, constipation, male infertility, salty-tasting skin, and exercise intolerance.
Diagnosis often comes at birth, as screening for cystic fibrosis is standard across the United States. In order to complete a screening, doctors must perform blood sampling, genetic testing, and sweat tests. After a diagnosis is obtained, doctors select the correct treatment. The goal is to control infections, remove mucus from the lungs, prevent intestinal blockage, and provide proper nutrition. Methods include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, medicine to induce the coughing up of mucus, bronchodilators, pancreatic enzymes, exercise therapy, chest physical therapy, vest therapy, lung transplants, and surgery to remove bowel blockages, remove nasal polyps, and place a feeding tube.
Dylan’s Story
Dylan Mortimer was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis before he was one-year-old, after initially being diagnosed with failure to thrive. In 1979, when he was born, doctors were unsure if anyone with cystic fibrosis would be able to survive past their late teens. Fortunately, treatment and knowledge of cystic fibrosis has improved since then. He attended school at Kansas City Art Institute followed by the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Soon after, he married his wife Shannon, and they started a family. He worked as a pastor while he continued to create art, until he required a double lung transplant at age 37. His body rejected the first transplant, but luckily he found another match: the relative of a close friend. This time, his body accepted the transplant.
After this procedure he was able to start exercising again, and he also continued to create art. His art is inspired by the things he has experienced in his own life, such as operating rooms, surgeries, and the symptoms of cystic fibrosis. He uses glitter and beauty to illustrate the structure of lungs and cells. He says that he likes to find “hope in the most hopeless situations,” and art is a way to do so.
Find Dylan’s story here.
