Artist Statement

Georges Seurat’s ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte’, painted between 1884 and 1886, is a celebrated example of Pointillism. Seurat created the image using countless small dots of color. Individually, each dot is distinct; together, they form something larger—a complete picture brought to life through the human eye.

Brought to life through a partnership between the Epilepsy Foundation–Greater Chicago and Hidden Truths Project, ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte’ brings together 50 individual canvases, each created by a member of the epilepsy community.

Thirty canvases. Thirty voices. Thirty stories.

Each canvas reflects a unique experience of epilepsy, with its own color, movement, texture, and rhythm. Alone, each tells a story. Together, they create a larger picture of community, connection, creativity, and resilience.

This year’s HTP theme, “Illuminating the Human Experience of Epilepsy Through Art, Storytelling, and Community,” reminds us to look beyond the diagnosis and illuminate the people and stories behind it.

Like Seurat’s individual points of color, our stories may be different, but together they reveal something greater. Every perspective adds color. Every voice matters. Every story helps us see epilepsy—and one another—in a new way.

Thirty canvases. Thirty voices. Thirty stories.

Together, we illuminate the human experience of epilepsy.

Art