One part inspiration

I encourage you to visit the gallery of images from Princeton University's annual Art of Science competition, 2011. You'll be amazed and fascinated to see what comes out of biology, physics and engineering labs.

Thanks to Eugenie Scott for bringing this to my attention.

Communications 6

This scattering of bicone AB green glass beads on silk organza is the overlay for the Communications artwork, which is now almost complete. Below is an image of the two layers together. Next step is to mount the piece ready for framing, then I can add it to the collection.

Communications 5

Finished metallic echo stitching on the Communications background. This mesh of intertwined lines of stitching represents the network of neural pathways in the brain, inspired by research at the Queensland Brain Institute.

Communications 4

Now that I'm happy with the coverage of the background of Communications, I'm using this orange metallic filament to echo the lines of stitching and add a bit of depth. Like many metallic threads, this one can be tricky to work with as it frays, splits and snags. Oh, what one must suffer for art's sake! More pics of the work soon.

By the way, the exhibition is still up in the Accelerator Gallery at Culture at Work for another week and a bit. The gallery is open by appointment, so call Culture at Work on 02 9518 8813 if you'd like to see it.

X-ray art

My friend and frequent inspiration Cherie came to visit the Kingdom of the Blind exhibition, and told me about an artist she'd recently discovered who works embroidery over X-rays. Of course I had to check it out (and you should too). Matthew Cox's idea is to take an internal image and apply a new surface to it. I love this way of looking at the idea of personality and identity.

Communications 3

Yesterday's work on Communications has almost brought it to the stage where I am happy with the network of stitching for the background. I've pencilled in a couple more lines, and I can still see a few gaps to be filled, but it's almost there. I should finish the embroidery today, and may have time to complete the overlay and thus the whole piece on Saturday--the last day I'll be in the gallery (from 2pm to 5pm).

The exhibition will still be up for a week after that, but the gallery will only be open by appointment. I'd love to show you my works, so please call Culture at Work if you'd like to come along next week.

Communications 2

As I'm sitting in the Accelerator gallery each day--in between chatting to visitors who trickle in--I am gradually adding more lines of stitching to the network that will form the background to the new Communication piece based on the work of Associate Professor Meunier at QBI. Here is the work in progress from yesterday. I am enjoying the colours and textures of both hand-dyed and solid colour cottons, lurex threads, silks and braids. The aim is to work up a dense network of lines across the work, then make an organza overlay with bright green beads, similar to the work Neurogenesis after ischemia.

Communications

This is a new piece I've been working on while sitting in the gallery during opening hours this week. It's a privilege to meet everyone who has dropped in to see the show: I've had some really interesting conversations. One visitor shared some details of his father's Alzheimer's disease as he looked at my images of Apoptosis. Yesterday I met one of the victims of the Bali bombing who told me about how she had used art as therapy to help her through seven horrific operations on her leg (she showed me the scar). Please drop in if you can and share your experiences or just say hello!

Opening day, October 29th

Celebrating the exhibition opening...