Career pathways in physiotherapy rarely follow a straight or predictable line and Georgia Pope MACP’s is no different.

While her clinical work in Melbourne is grounded in neurological rehabilitation, Georgia’s parallel work as an anatomy artist has developed into something far more than a creative outlet.

What began as a personal study story – sketching anatomical structures to better understand them – has evolved into a growing body of work that sets out to challenge how patients and clinicians engage with the human body.

In Georgia’s case, the intersection of art and physiotherapy is not incidental; it is a deliberate and increasingly influential part of how she practises, communicates and contributes to the profession.

Georgia’s physiotherapy training at La Trobe University, followed by a graduate role and diverse clinical exposure across acute, community and private settings – from intensive care units to community-based neurological rehabilitation –  gave her a broad understanding of the profession’s scope. 

APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist Georgia Pope.

She developed a strong appreciation for the complexity of healthcare systems and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. 

These experiences continue to shape her practice, particularly her communication style and her ability to contextualise a patient’s journey through her part-time work at private practice Steps Neurological Therapy in Malvern East.

It was within neurological physiotherapy that Georgia found her clinical home. 

Drawn to its complexity and the absence of ‘cookie-cutter’ solutions, Georgia describes neuro as a space that demands creativity, adaptability and constant learning. 

Each patient presents a unique puzzle, one that extends beyond physical impairments to include cognition, communication, perception and emotional adjustment. 

‘There’s no single approach that works for everyone. 

'Even when two patients have the same diagnosis on paper, their experiences, goals and responses are completely different.’

This perspective underpins her approach to care. 

Whether working with people with spinal cord injuries, stroke, Parkinson’s disease or brain injury, Georgia stresses the importance of tailored interventions to increase physical capacity and of how patients understand and relate to their bodies. 

In many cases, progress is not solely defined by regained movement but by shifts in perception, confidence and engagement.

A central theme in Georgia’s work is the concept of hope.

In neurological rehabilitation, where patients are often navigating profound loss or uncertainty, maintaining hope is both delicate and essential. 

Georgia is careful not to offer unrealistic expectations, focusing instead on identifying meaningful, achievable goals – however small – that can anchor a patient’s motivation.

One example she recalls is a patient struggling to articulate any goals after a significant road accident injury. 

Through extended conversation, they eventually identified a desire to play music again. By introducing adaptive equipment that made this possible, Georgia was able to provide a tangible sense of possibility. 

‘It didn’t change everything overnight but it gave him something to look forward to. That matters.’

The body politic

This sensitivity to language and meaning extends beyond patient goals into the words people use to describe their bodies. Georgia has become increasingly fascinated by the everyday phrases and metaphors that shape how individuals perceive health and injury – terms like ‘bad knees’, ‘bone on bone’ or even broader idioms such as ‘the bee’s knees’ or ‘green thumb’. 

These expressions, while often used casually, can reinforce negative beliefs or misunderstandings about the body.

Her interest aligns with contemporary pain science and neuroplasticity research, which highlights the powerful relationship between language, cognition and physiological experience. 

A Beautiful Mind by Georgia Pope.

By paying close attention to these verbal clues, Georgia gains insights into a patient’s internal narrative and uses the information to guide education and reframing. 

‘Sometimes it’s not just about changing movement. It’s about changing how someone thinks about that movement or that body part. That can be just as powerful.’

It is here that Georgia’s artistic practice begins to intersect most clearly with her clinical work. 

A self-taught artist, Georgia did not pursue formal art education beyond early secondary school. 

Instead, her creative journey began organically during her studies, when she started illustrating her own anatomy notes as a means to enhance her memory and information retention.

Those early sketches, which combined structure, colour and visual storytelling, laid the groundwork for what would later
become a distinctive artistic voice. 

National and international travel further nurtured this creative outlet.

While living and working in Spain, Georgia spent time sketching in cafes and public spaces, often drawing as a way to connect with others despite language barriers. 

Small exhibitions in local venues provided her first glimpse into the potential of sharing her work more widely. 

It is also where Georgia met her now husband, a Brisbane native who was in Spain working as a food and wine tour guide.

Over time, Georgia’s art evolved into what she describes as ‘anatomy with a twist’ –  a body of work that blends anatomical accuracy with humour, idiom and vibrant colour. 

The aim of her work is to educate as well as engage, making the inner workings of the body accessible and intriguing to
a broader audience. 

‘I think people often know more about their cars or computers than their own bodies. 

'I want to change that –  to make anatomy something people feel connected to, not intimidated by.’

This philosophy can be seen in her recent exhibition Not So Grey Anatomy, held at St Vincent’s Hospital Art Gallery earlier this year. 

The exhibition invited viewers to explore anatomy through a playful yet thoughtful lens, combining artistic expression with educational intent. 

Importantly, it appealed to both health professionals and the general public, creating a shared space for reflection and curiosity.

Georgia says clinicians viewing the work were prompted to reconsider the language they use in practice, while non-clinical audiences were offered a more approachable entry point into understanding their bodies. 

This dual impact reflects

Georgia’s goal to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and everyday experience.

‘My goal through the artwork I create is not just to celebrate the body; it is to essentially connect with the everyday person in teaching about the body and exposure to what the body actually looks like – in a beautiful way.’

That drive led to the creation of Georgia’s business Vital Designs, which allows her to share her art through online sales and
commissions. 

She also shares her art journey on Instagram (@vitaldesignsstudio) and is passionate about helping people understand, reconnect with and redefine their bodies.

Her growing recognition as an artist has opened up new professional avenues including exhibitions, commissioned work and the development of Volume 1 of a children’s book on anatomy and body awareness. 

It is part of her mission to make health education engaging from an early age.

New creative pathway

A notable recent role for Georgia is that of ‘artist clinician’ within a Transport Accident Commission project focused on improving communication about unproven therapies and health misinformation in spinal cord injury. 

Working alongside a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience, and through the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Georgia is contributing a creative perspective to the development of educational tools and frameworks.

Ribcage by Georgia Pope.

This new role exemplifies the integration of her dual skill sets. 

By applying artistic principles to clinical communication, Georgia aims to create resources that are evidence-based and visually compelling and accessible – an important consideration in an era where misinformation often thrives as polished presentations, particularly on social media.

‘As health professionals, we need to do better with how we present information. 

'Patients are exposed to a lot of content that looks professional and convincing, even when it’s not evidence based. 

'We have a responsibility to meet that standard in terms of clarity and engagement.

‘Health information can be very black and white. Patients get a letterhead and lots of text or maybe an old diagram from the
1980s that has been photocopied multiple times.

'I am looking at bringing colour and an artistic flare to it, making it more accessible – making it interesting.’

Her involvement in this project, funded through the Transport Accident Commission’s Best Client Outcomes Grant Program 2025, is part of a broader shift within healthcare towards interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches to patient education.

It highlights the value of skills traditionally considered outside clinical practice, such as art and design.

Many influences

Balancing her dual professional pursuits with family life has added another dimension to Georgia’s perspective. 

Now a mother of two children, she reflects that her clinical practice has, in many ways, prepared her for parenting, particularly in areas such as communication, behavioural understanding and patience. 

At the same time, her children have influenced her artistic style, encouraging a move towards a brighter, more playful use of colour and form. 

Georgia sees her professional and personal identities as interconnected influences that shape how she works, creates and relates to others rather than as separate silos.

For physiotherapists, Georgia’s career demonstrates the importance of embracing diverse interests and recognising their potential relevance to clinical practice.

It also highlights the value of creativity, both in treatment sessions with patients and in broader areas such as education, communication and advocacy.

In neurological physiotherapy, where complexity and uncertainty are inherent, the ability to think creatively and adapt is essential.

Georgia’s work shows that creativity can take many forms, from modifying physical interventions to reimagining how information is conveyed. 

As she continues to develop her clinical and artistic careers, having recently become an APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist, Georgia’s boundaries between disciplines are becoming more fluid. 

What began as an artistic hobby has evolved into an extension of her professional identity, with tangible impacts on patients, peers and the wider community.

Visit Vital Designs to see Georgia’s artwork and to commission some of her work, and find out more about the Transport Accident Commission project.