Bristol medical students present fourth annual art exhibition ‘Do No Harm’

For the fourth successive year, a group of Bristol medical students is running an independent art exhibition, launching at Centrespace Gallery on June 12.

The event is being co-organised by its founders, Diya K and Alphi B, along with fellow students Kite R and Alba J, all of whom are in their final-year of studies; as a result, it is likely to be the final of its kind for a while.

Entitled Do No Harm – after a core tenet of medical ethics – the work on show will encompass a range of media, and is produced by a mix of medical students, doctors, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals.

Felting, from Do No Harm, 2025

As a result, it gives a valuable insight into the realities of living and working in the medical field.

James Rudolf is a medical student who created a fluid painting with a patient, for this exhibition. For him, the experience of making art along with his practice has been valuable.

As well as citing the importance of the opportunity to show the humanity of medics, he believes there is a catharsis in the emotional processing power that creativity can unlock.

Cross stitch, from Do No Harm, 2024-6, Kite R, medical student

“It’s exactly what we should be doing in terms of mental health”, he considers; “not only our own, but also in helping us to better understand our patients.”

In creating his first piece for the project, Rudolf was a third-year medic – who at the time, he admits, did not really understand palliative care.

Working with a former primary school art teacher who was at the end-of-life, allowed him to reflect on a very emotive situation that was difficult to process, and come to terms with the reality “in a way”, he says, “that perhaps I wouldn’t have been able to, without the art”.

Sculpture print ‘BITS’, by Sophie Fishel, physiotherapist, from Do No Harm, 2026 – photo: courtesy of the artist

Abby Allwood visited the 2025 exhibition, and found it to be both fascinating and moving.

“The pieces were all unique”, she recalls, “and it was interesting to see how the art was influenced and inspired by their patients across different mediums. I would highly recommend the experience.”

Some of the art on show will be for sale, with proceeds going to the charity Artspace Lifespace.

Do No Harm: 4th annual medical art show is at Centrespace Gallery on June 12-18, with an opening night reception with food and drink available. Entry is free.

There are content warnings in place for some of the material, and adult supervision is advised.

All photos (unless stated): DK

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