The Curse of the Blessing, a group exhibition by artists affected by Hyperemesis Gravidarum is currently on view at dnj Gallery. The exhibition is presented by Pamela Schoenberg, director of the gallery, as well as Ted Meyer, founder of ArtandMed. This show is part of dnj Gallery’s ArtandMed initiative, which fosters education, increases awareness, and raises support for chronic health conditions.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum Exhibition at dnj Gallery

 

Ted Meyer created ArtandMed to center the artist-patient’s perspective. It demonstrates why sharing lived experiences remains essential to art-making. Furthermore, medical schools widely use this program to deepen healthcare understanding. dnj Gallery now expands this vision by curating an exhibition and related events that reveal how art communicates illness from the inside out. Through this collaborative model, ArtandMed demonstrates a strong commitment to using creativity as a supportive resource for patients.

This edition explores Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a far more serious condition than morning sickness. HG’s relentless nausea and vomiting often cause dehydration, dizziness, and weight loss. Moreover, severe cases require hospitalization and intravenous fluids. Untreated HG also raises risks for other pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and postpartum depression.

Additional Hyperemesis Gravidarum Events

There are several events coming up in conjunction with this exhibition.

Sunday, October 12, 2025
Webern Quartet “Studies have shown that listening to classical music can trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to a relaxation and a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol.” Event: 4pm;

Saturday, October 18, 2025
Art Reception: dnj Gallery’s Photo Contest — 7 BEST DOCTORS
Event: 6-8pm;

Hyperemesis Education dnj Gallery

A Little Lighter by Julia Russel; courtesy of the gallery & artist

Sunday, November 2, 2025
Artist Patient/Medical Professional Conversation with artist- Vida Mercer and Mary Grisey and Aimee Brecht-Doscher, M.D.
Moderated by Kimber MacGibbon, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the HER Foundation; Event: 2pm

Saturday, November 15, 2025
Movie Screening: Sick-The Battle Against HG
Co-produced & Presented by Charlotte Howden, Directed and Co-Produced by Lorne Guy of Good Guys; Productions remarks following the movie with Marlena Fejzo, PhD.
Event: 4pm

HER Foundation

The Curse of the Blessing also features a partnership with the HER Foundation. Since 2000, this organization has offered advocacy, education, and research to improve HG treatment and outcomes. Additionally, it has supported more than three million people worldwide.

Through their powerful artworks, participating artists transform their suffering into healing. As Clare Hughes explains, this exhibition is “a participatory project with HG sufferers” and “a visual metaphor for their pregnancies.” Art helps reduce internal conflict, guiding body, mind, and spirit beyond what words can express. By reshaping painful memories into affirming imagery, it creates space for renewed strength and meaning. “My babies are a blessing. Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a curse that nearly changed my entire life,” shares artist Leta Jeffers.

On view: September 21 – November 29, 2025

What: The Curse of the Blessing
Where: dnj Gallery, 3015 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Gallery Hours: Thursdays – Saturdays,  10am-5pm and by appointment
Website: https://www.dnjgallery.net