The exhibition "Flesh and Bones: The Art of Anatomy" at Singapore's ArtScience Museum explores the history of anatomical representation as a cultural construct rather than a universal scientific truth. It juxtaposes Western anatomical atlases from the Renaissance with Chinese meridian (jingluo) systems, featuring works by artist Chiharu Shiota and other historical pieces that reveal how different cultures have visualized the human body through both scientific and spiritual lenses.
This exhibition matters because it speaks directly to a contemporary Asian diaspora audience that is actively reclaiming and reinterpreting heritage traditions. By refusing to frame Western anatomy as the endpoint of progress or Eastern traditions as static relics, "Flesh and Bones" creates an open-ended dialogue that resonates with younger generations who engage with wellness apps, gua sha, and qi concepts. It challenges the perceived divide between art and science, showing both as attempts to understand the invisible—whether beneath the skin or flowing through it.