Euthanasia advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian -- who died in 2011 -- was also an avid painter. Eleven of his works, as well as his "Thanatron" suicide machine, are on display and for sale this month at Gallerie Sparta in Hollywood, California. Here is a look at some of his works:
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
Euthanasia advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian -- who died in 2011 -- was also an avid painter. Eleven of his works, as well as his "Thanatron" suicide machine, are on display and for sale this month at Gallerie Sparta in Hollywood, California. Here is a look at some of his works:
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
Kevorkian was known as "Dr. Death" for helping suffering patients die and pushing for this practice to be legalized. His artwork represents his fascination with the intersection between physical and spiritual suffering, like this piece titled "Paralysis."
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
Kevorkian was known as "Dr. Death" for helping suffering patients die and pushing for this practice to be legalized. His artwork represents his fascination with the intersection between physical and spiritual suffering, like this piece titled "Paralysis."
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
Art and music were important parts of Kevorkian's life. He created this portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach as an expression of his love for the German composer's music. He wrote in 1997 that he was "attempting to compose my own music," a venture he described as "both curiously satisfying and one of the most intellectually challenging things I have ever done."
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
Art and music were important parts of Kevorkian's life. He created this portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach as an expression of his love for the German composer's music. He wrote in 1997 that he was "attempting to compose my own music," a venture he described as "both curiously satisfying and one of the most intellectually challenging things I have ever done."
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
This 1999 painting of a treble clef, called "Chromatic Fantasy," is displayed with the Bach portrait and "Fugue," which displays a treble clef.
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
This 1999 painting of a treble clef, called "Chromatic Fantasy," is displayed with the Bach portrait and "Fugue," which displays a treble clef.
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
"Fugue" is part of the trio of 1999 paintings displayed with the Bach portrait and "Chromatic Fantasy."
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
"Fugue" is part of the trio of 1999 paintings displayed with the Bach portrait and "Chromatic Fantasy."
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
"Coma" depicts an unconscious patient being pulled into the mouth of a macabre death mask which resembles the opening of a CAT scan machine, a symbol of modern medical technology. In his description of this painting, Kevorkian wrote, "How strange and inscrutable is the deep sleep of trauma or disease. Is there consciousness in the live brain? The eyes may be flitting, but do they see? Does that signify dreaming? Sometimes the sleeper awakes; but more often this last profound act of Morpheus merely provides another morsel for nature's ultimate scavenger - Death."
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
"Coma" depicts an unconscious patient being pulled into the mouth of a macabre death mask which resembles the opening of a CAT scan machine, a symbol of modern medical technology. In his description of this painting, Kevorkian wrote, "How strange and inscrutable is the deep sleep of trauma or disease. Is there consciousness in the live brain? The eyes may be flitting, but do they see? Does that signify dreaming? Sometimes the sleeper awakes; but more often this last profound act of Morpheus merely provides another morsel for nature's ultimate scavenger - Death."
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
"Fever" is one of several portrayals by Kevorkian of "various medical signs and symptoms and social commentaries," according to Kevorkian. "This one depicts the great discomfort of intense bodily heat," he wrote. "The inferno is internal, and in some tragic cases even the will to live is charred."
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
"Fever" is one of several portrayals by Kevorkian of "various medical signs and symptoms and social commentaries," according to Kevorkian. "This one depicts the great discomfort of intense bodily heat," he wrote. "The inferno is internal, and in some tragic cases even the will to live is charred."
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
"The Ninth Amendment" was Kevorkian's homage to the portion of the Bill of Rights that basically allows for other rights not listed in the U.S. Constitution. Kevorkian believed that this amendment "gave Americans the right to determine the exact timing of their own death - if they so chose." This was Kevorkian's final painting.
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
"The Ninth Amendment" was Kevorkian's homage to the portion of the Bill of Rights that basically allows for other rights not listed in the U.S. Constitution. Kevorkian believed that this amendment "gave Americans the right to determine the exact timing of their own death - if they so chose." This was Kevorkian's final painting.
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
"Brotherhood" showcases "the fabric of humanity" which Kevorkian described adorned in "noble epithets and arbitrary virtues" but is, in fact, "a miasma of distrust and suspicion, periodically accentuated by hate, outright mayhem, and murder."
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
"Brotherhood" showcases "the fabric of humanity" which Kevorkian described adorned in "noble epithets and arbitrary virtues" but is, in fact, "a miasma of distrust and suspicion, periodically accentuated by hate, outright mayhem, and murder."
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta
Kevorkian was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 in the state of Michigan. He spent eight years in prison before being paroled in 2007. Kevorkian blamed his criminal conviction on then-Gov. John Engler who he said was under the influence "of the religious right constituency."
Jack Kevorkian's artwork for sale —
Kevorkian was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 in the state of Michigan. He spent eight years in prison before being paroled in 2007. Kevorkian blamed his criminal conviction on then-Gov. John Engler who he said was under the influence "of the religious right constituency."
Lee Bowers/Gallerie Sparta