Above: Plaster model of the brain by [unknown maker]. This item is one from a display at the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology at the University of Melbourne. The Museum and Library is part of the University’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

• The Museum is one of Australia’s largest collections of real human tissue specimens offering students and researchers a unique insight into the human body.
• The collection includes over 10,000 dissected anatomy and pathology specimens, moulages (such as this model), death masks and historical teaching models.

Although not usually open to the general public, there are opportunities to visit the Museum including the University’s Open Day held each August. Tours of the museum are available for external health professionals and student groups by appointment.

As for this plaster model, is it art? or science? If it were in an art gallery it would be art, but this is in a museum, which would indicate science. – To answer this, I think I’ll hand this over to the brains trust.

Come to think of it, it’s been on my mind for so long … I just can’t get you out of my head!

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“Is It Art?”