ANATOMY OF A HEALING TOUCH | Ira Bagga

“ ‘Anatomy of a Healing Touch’ was inspired by the lack of emotional connection I noticed that often exists between patients and physicians or care workers. While medicine focuses heavily on physical treatment, the emotional bond between caregiver and patient is equally essential to the healing process. Through this work, I wanted to highlight the anatomy of touch not just as a biological gesture, but as a symbol of empathy and human connection. The piece reflects how a simple act of human touch can bridge the gap between clinical care and genuine compassion, reminding us that healing is not only about the body but also about the heart.”

Ira Bagga is a junior at Arizona College Prep High School with a passion for the arts and the sciences. Bagga discovered an interest in visual art in elementary school and has since used it as a way to explore self-expression, cultural identity, and storytelling. Bagga is deeply interested in health and medicine, with a focus on building bridges between science and creativity to increase awareness and empathy and using creative expression as a way to inspire dialogue and community impact. Her local initiative, the Athena Project, brings arts to underserved places.