For enquiries and commissions, please contact me on:
Hello!
Welcome to my website,
My name is Hana Pokojna, often going by Hana Pok, I am currently combining my interest in science and love for art , and integrate them with modern-day technology. I aim to help with translating abstract scientific concepts through visual tools and help in the scientific field. This includes communication between researchers, public domain and use in education.
More information about exhibitions are in the ‘Events’ section.
A little bit about me…
My inspiration for art is deeply rooted in my interest in and educational background in psychology. During high school, the connecting theme between my art pieces was ‘Psychological Freedom’. A compromise I reached was studying for an undergraduate degree in psychology and continuing to practice art alongside it.
During my undergraduate degree I grew interested in the biological underpinnings of behaviour but also the fact, that scientific jargon is often difficult to grasp, hence I have searched for degrees in Medical Visualisation and Art. These ended up being the perfect match between what I wanted and needed for my future career, for which I feel incredibly lucky.
Professionally, I enjoy working with 2D and 3D software including modelling, 3D printing and animation. My interest in psychology often sneaks in and as seen in my final dissertation projects, they all relate to behaviour, brain anatomy, or both.
A big part of my free time is taken up by more art, whether it be sketching or making something more complex. Personally, I believe that in art, less is more and that there is beauty in simplicity. In terms of ideas behind the art, I like to focus on capturing specific moments, attempting to visually capture snapshots of feelings, which often take the form of quick sketches. My favourite mediums have always been pen and pencil on paper. My interest in human anatomy over the past few years and eagerness to improve in digital 2D and 3D art are often incorporated into the pieces without any real reason other than for the enjoyment of it.
I am currently a PhD student focusing on the visualisation aspects of translating medical data and processes. My studies and projects are related to computer science, where I make use of human-computer interaction to convey science creatively and effectively.
Education
PhD Candidate: Fundamentals of Computer Science with Specialisation
2021- present: Masaryk University
MSc Medical Art
2019-2020: University of Dundee
MSc Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy
2018-2019: Glasgow School of Art & University of Glasgow
BSc Psychology (Hons) with Advanced Proficiency in Spanish
2015- 2018: University of Exeter
Experience *
Teaching 3 university courses: ‘Modelling in 3D’ , ‘Evening Life Drawing’ and ‘Character in 3D’, at Masaryk University
Autumn and spring semesters, March 2021- June 2022
Brno, Czech Republic
Visual Storytelling: PhD Course, Linköping University
August 2021- January 2022
Norrköping, Sweden + remote
Psychopharmacology and Addiction Research Centre, University of Exeter
September 2017- May 2018
Exeter, United Kingdom
Life-drawing Coordinator, University of Exeter Art Society
The academic year 2016- 2017
Exeter, United Kingdom
*listed above are relevant work experiences, to see full CV please visit my LinkedIn
Exhibitions & Residencies*
September 5th-7th, 2024: Expanded Play (part of Ars Electronica Festival)
June 23rd- September 4th, 2022: Defunct Settlements of Moravia and Silesia
May 13th-15th, 2022: Brno Game Jam 2022
May 12th, 2022: Videomapping Festival MASKA
November 16th, 2021: Videomapping at ‘Brno -> Minsk, Minsk -> Brno’
May 27th- 31st, 2021: ‘The Pieces Are In The Flux Part. 2’
November 5th- 14th, 2020: ‘Forms Essential’
October 9th-25th, 2020: Salt Space Digital Residency
October 2020: DJCAD Masters Showcase
March 2020: ‘Bits and Bones’
August 2019: GSA Graduate Degree Show
2015: International Baccalaureate Art Exhibition
*to see more information about each exhibition, please click on ‘Events’ in the menu
Relevant Art Experience
2019-2020: Weekly Life-drawing sessions with Fantastic Figures in Dundee
2018-2019: Weekly life-drawing sessions with All the Young Nudes and Drawing Life in Glasgow
2015-2018: Weekly life-drawing sessions with the Exeter University Art Society
2013-2015: Weekly life-drawing sessions in Hampstead Community Centre In London
2013: Weekly iPad digital painting classes at the Hampstead School of Art in London
2011- 2012: Weekly still life and life-drawing classes at the Bridgeview School of Art in New York City
Publications
"ProjectAnatomy: a handy tool for learning forearm anatomy with augmented physicalisations"
A Journal article in Behaviour and Information Technology (September, 2024)
"Make Some Energy: Tangible and Interactive Chemical Reactions"
Proceedings of Expanded Animation Symposium at Ars Electronica (September, 2024)
"The Language of Infographics: Toward Understanding Conceptual Metaphor Use in Scientific Storytelling"
A journal article in IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (July, 2024)
"Effect of the Rings: A Visual Story Design Comparing Three Chemical Characters"
A chapter in Biological Visualization: Approaches for Science Illustration and Communication (November, 2023)
"Medical Art and the Pandemic: From identifying the ‘Big Bad’ to advancements in medical education"
A chapter in MEDIA, ARTS AND DESIGN (MAD) ANTHOLOGY II: MAD Pandemic: Stories of Change and Continuity during the COVID-19 Crisis (November, 2023)
"Seeing the unseen: Comparison study of representation approaches for biochemical processes in education"
An journal article in PLOS ONE Journal (November, 2023)
"Cartography of Touch: Transformation of touch through anatomical projections"
An article in Leonardo, MIT Press Journal (March, 2023)
"The transparent minds: methods of creation of 3D digital models from patient-specific data"
A journal article in the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine (January, 2022)
"Animated Guide to Represent a Novel Means of Gut-Brain Axis Communication"
A chapter in Biomedical Visualisation Volume 7 (July, 2020)
Awards
IMI Silver Award and Bronze Awards 2023
Silver Award in the graphics category; ATP Synthase.
Bronze Awards in the graphics category; Cartography of Touch, Interactive ATP Enzyme, Project Anatomy.
VCBM Image Award 2022
Jury’s Choice Award for the ‘Anatomy of Touch’ render made in 3D modeling software.
VCBM Image Award 2021
Image Contest Award for the ‘Model of Trigeminal Nerve’ render made with photogrammetry and 3D modeling.
Mentions
Radio Leonardo
An interview with Mr Rambousek on the topic of medical visualisation and medical art for Radio Leonardo, aired on December 20th, 2020.
Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine
A mention of all MSc Medical Art graduates and their projects in a chapter in the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine written by Dr Caroline Erolin.
Art Publications
Little Living Room Magazine
Digital drawing titled the ‘Spring Spiraling’ in Issue 3 (August, 2021) with the theme ‘Mental Health’.
Little Living Room Magazine
Digital drawing titled ‘What it will be today?’ in Issue 4 (January, 2022) with the theme ‘Role Play’.
Memberships
Professional Member of the Institution of Medical Illustrators (IMI): April, 2023- present
Student Member of the Institution of Medical Illustrators (IMI): May, 2020- May, 2021
Graduate Member of Salt Space Cooperative Glasgow: 2020- 2021