Dominic developed cystic fibrosis-related insulin-dependent diabetes as the result of a double lung transplant in 2015. It’s a unique type of diabetes common in people with CF making them insulin deficient. Their pancreas still produces some insulin, but not enough to keep them healthy and maintain good nutrition.
An artist by trade, Dominic recently caught the attention of Nurse Practitioner Alisa Kosla when she entered an exam room in the UMass Memorial during his appointment at the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence and saw the following sketch on the exam table paper.
Dominic has been in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices his entire life. Much of his artwork focuses on interactions he's had with the healthcare system and his experiences dealing with a chronic illness. He utilizes hospital materials to create art as an opportunity to show people what he's going through and to educate about CF and what it does to the body.
“For the most part, cystic fibrosis is an invisible illness,” he said. “I could conceal it unless I had a coughing attack or other symptoms.”
As Dominic’s lungs began to fail and the transplant grew nearer, it became more visible. He lost weight and eventually required oxygen. “My health did not allow me to continue with studio art, so I transitioned to using my body to create video and performance art,” he said. “I wanted to introduce the public my treatments and what I was going through.”
In 2012, Dominic administered a dose of his home infusion IV antibiotic treatments for lung infections outside of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He hung the IV bag on a lamp poles in a permanent sculpture called Urban Light. “I sat there for the 30 minutes while it infused,” he said. “Some people took photos or asked me what was going on. I live-tweeted and used it as an opportunity to promote organ donation.”
It was his way of breaking down the public vs. private treatment of chronic illness. In addition to paintings and wall sculptures, Dominic has created video and performance art. “They combine documentation and theater,” he said. “In one recording I’m dancing with an IV poll to describe how lonely it can get in the hospital. I’m personifying a medical device to cope with the loneliness of illness.”
Prior to using a continuous glucose monitor, Dominic would check his blood sugar with finger sticks. Instead of clotting the blood on this finger with gauze or cotton, he used drawing paper. He created works of art using those blotches, with the blood sugars written below each.
While his lung transplant left him with diabetes, failing kidneys and liver problems, Dominic has no regrets. “It’s given me seven additional years and counting,” he said. “During that time, we had a son and my quality of life is much better.”
Dominic created this business suit using hospital gowns from when he was in a coma prior to his transplant. “I wear the suit when I speak at medical conferences or medical schools,” he said. “I use my art as visual tools to discuss patient experience, empathy and other related topics.”
This flag was created with hospital gowns that he wore. He calls it Medicare for All. “The gown is worn like a uniform for patients and serves as a reminder that the healthcare needs of far too many Americans are not currently being met,” he said. “The flag represents freedom for health insurance to be separated from its dependencies on employment and employers.”
He had an exhibit of exam table paper drawings on display at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum in 2022. View more of his work at ArtistDominic.com or follow him on Instagram @ArtistDominic.
