GOPAL MURTI W/ DR. SCOTT MORRIS: ART OF GOPAL MURTI

Join us as we welcome GOPAL MURTI in conversation with DR. SCOTT MORRIS on SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 at 2:00 PM to celebrate the release of Murti's new book ART OF GOPAL MURTI

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The focus of the book is his artwork ; this hardback features three dozen handsome plates and detailed descriptions. The artwork is the culmination of a fascinating life so the introductory section about his early life, career, mentors, and introduction to art adds meaningful context. The hopes and joys of his life, triumphs over difficulties, and constant learning come to a new expression beyond prose in his paintings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gopal Murti was born 83 years ago in a small village in India without electricity or running water. With no school in his village, his education was delayed until he could move in with relatives in a larger villages at age 10. As he caught up his academic excellence eventually flourished. He graduated at the top of his college class in chemistry and biology and finished first among students from all 14 colleges in his state. Awarded a government scholarship, Gopal earned a master's degree in zoology and marine biology at just 20 years old. A mentor later helped him secure a scholarship to pursue a doctorate in cell biology at the University of Colorado. He was then recruited to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, where he served as a research scientist for 33 years before retiring in 2008. Never one to stop learning, Gopal discovered a new passion after retirement through watercolor painting under the late Fred Rawlinson. In the past several years he has completed more than 500 paintings and has become a beloved member of the Memphis art community.

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER: 

Dr. Scott Morris is the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Church Health in Memphis, serving in the role of CEO for over 35 years. He continues to see patients and works in fundraising for the organization. Church Health, which opened in 1987, provides quality, affordable healthcare to working, uninsured, and underserved individuals and their families. Thanks to a broad base of financial support from the faith community and the volunteered help of doctors, nurses, dentists, and others, Church Health has grown to become the largest faith-based clinic of its type in the nation. Today, Church Health has an average of 60,000 patient encounters each year, caring for over 16,000 unique individuals in our community. Dr. Morris holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University, and an M.D. from Emory University. He is a family practice physician and an ordained United Methodist minister.