• Charles Sturt anatomy students learn through art and will host exhibition in Albury-Wodonga from Thursday 5 to Tuesday 31 October

Academics at Charles Sturt University are using the most eye-catching methods to teach anatomy to students in Albury-Wodonga.

Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences with the Charles Sturt School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences in Albury-Wodonga Dr Claudia Diaz has been using body painting since 2010 to teach anatomy to first-year anatomy students.

This approach has culminated in an exhibition with the aim to show the public the innovative approaches used for learning at Charles Sturt.

Body painting projects were completed by a student team of models, artists and photographers on campus where students, staff and University officials were invited to witness the event.

“Art can help students to understand scientific subjects, like anatomy, because anatomy is a very visual science,” Dr Diaz said.

“Using innovative approaches to learn, rather than traditional didactic ones, helps with mind-mapping that helps students to learn for life rather than just memorising new information.”

Dr Diaz was awarded a Charles Sturt Excellence Award in 2022 for her innovative approaches.

She said body painting helps students learn anatomical structures on living people and to develop their physical examination skills which they will need as health professionals working with patients or clients.

She hopes the exhibition will be a representation of how scholarly activity can have a positive impact on student learning and success.

The exhibition, titled ‘The Human Canvas: How art can transform the way we learn anatomy’, is a collection of images, collated since 2010, of work completed by students.

It will open with a ceremony from 5.30pm to 7pm on Thursday 5 October and run until Tuesday 31 October at Art Partners Australia on David Street in Albury. RSVPs are required for opening night.