Sparks of Creativity: the influence of epilepsy & migraines in art

Invitation to Participate in a Study of Creativity

Thank you in advance for taking the time to review this information about our study called Sparks of Creativity: the influence of epilepsy and migraines in art. This international interdisciplinary study in medicine, creative arts, psychology and art history explores the phenomenon of how epilepsy and migraines can, in some circumstances, have a positive influence in artistic expression through addressing the following questions.

Can epilepsy or migraines enhance and/or stimulate artistic expression?

Can artistic expression be effectively used to help diagnose and understand epilepsy and migraines?

What is the best evidence-based foundation to evaluate which famous artists had epilepsy, migraines or both?

How does the brain function in the creative process?

It is often said that, "A picture speaks a thousand words." The pictures of your artwork, your drawing exercises and your answers in the surveys will help us better understand the creative expression and experiences of artists with epilepsy and migraines.

This study is primarily focused on the influence of epilepsy and migraines in art. However, this study can serve as a foundation for future studies of the influence of other chronic medical conditions in artistic expression. We invite artists with epilepsy, migraines and other chronic medical conditions who make art as a hobby or a profession to participate in this study. Family members of participants with epilepsy are also invited to participate as an important group for comparison. Family members do not need to do art as a hobby or profession.

Please review the information about this study on the following page. If you would like to participate in this research then please provide your name and address on the next page. Your participation is confidential and valuable to a better understand of epilepsy and migraines.

For further information please contact Jim at jimchambliss@msn.com

Description of "Sparks of Creativity: the influence of epilepsy & migraines in art."

This research involves a joint venture with researchers from Australia and the USA. The principal researchers are

Mark Cook, MD (St. Vincent’s Health and the University of Melbourne School of Medicine),
David Williams, PhD (University of Melbourne School of Physiology),
Barbara Bolt, PhD (University of Melbourne School of Culture and Communication) and
Jim Chambliss, JD and MA in Visual Arts (University of Melbourne,
This study will serve as part of the PhD thesis of Jim Chambliss in a joint degree of creative arts and medicine.

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND: The two primary purposes of this study are (1) to investigate how drawings can be used to help better diagnose and under epilepsy and migraines and (2) to evaluate if epilepsy and migraines, which are typically viewed as disabling, can in some circumstances be enabling through the stimulation and enhancement of artistic expression.

POSSIBLE BENEFITS: Many people with epilepsy and migraines are misdiagnosed and misunderstood with harmful consequences. Your participation in this research could help advance a better understanding of the influence of such illnesses in the creative process and people's lives. There will be a drawing for 10 (ten) prize awards of $50 (AUD) from all participants who have completed Stage 1 and the survey in this study. There will also be one or more award exhibitions of the artwork of people with epilepsy, migraines and other chronic medical conditions. Information about possible awards for entries of artwork is available on request and will be posted at a later date.

VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANT ACTIVITIES: There are three stages in this research.  Stage 1 is the completion of two brief drawing exercises, a written response about the influences on your art and provision of 10 images of your existing artwork. Stage 2 is the completion of a web survey about various things that play a role in the creative process and personal interviews of selected artists.  Each of these parts can take place in the comfort of your home. Phase 3 consists of display of the artwork and artistic influences of selected artists through art exhibitions, publications and/or display of one’s artwork on a web site associated with this study. People may participate in this study on an anonymous basis and decline the invitation to participate in Stages 2 or 3.

QUALIFICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE: Participants in this study should be:

1.  an adult who is 18 years of age or older;
2(A).  an artist by trade or by hobby who has or has had epilepsy, migraines or a chronic or long-term medical condition with a significant impact on one's quality of life or outlook on life OR
2(B) IN THE ALTERNATIVE be a family member of a research participant with epilepsy or migraines. (the family members do not need to be artists by hobby or by trade or have epilepsy, migraines or chronic medical conditions,
3. be able to read, write and speak English at the level of a high school (12th-year) graduate or an equivalent level of education, and
4. be able to write and draw by hand.

PRIVACY, CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION: Responsible and reasonable efforts will be made to protect your privacy, confidentiality and copyright interests related to the images of your artwork that are reviewed in the course of this research. Information that will be sent to you will describe the numerous steps taken to treat you, your artwork and the information that you provide in a respectful and responsible manner.

ETHICS APPROVAL: This research survey and procedures listed below have been reviewed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committees of the University of Melbourne and St. Vincent’s Health (HREC). The FHEAC number from the University of Melbourne is 06035X. The protocol number from St. Vincent’s Health is HREC-A 044/06.

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