Physical Exhibition
How the Exhibition Started
4 years ago my mother was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme. Based on my experience as a young carer for her and my personal interest into neuroscience and disease of the mind; I used my practice to visualise the impact of nature on Glioblastoma.
This exhibition aims to bring awareness into this incurable disease and its complex and insidious functioning.
About The Exhibition
This exhibition is a follow on from the initial pilot exhibition. The aim is to visualise the complexities of incurable brain tumours, such as Glioblastoma; and how nature can play a role in the longevity of individuals.
The work highlights similar manifestations of Glioblastoma in the behaviour of plants and root growth; thus, echoing a similar function, despite the plant having health improving benefits, and Glioblastoma having damaging effects on the body.
Exhibition Layout
About the Pieces
This section will guide you through the artworks produced, and illustrate how these connect to the overall theme of the exhibition.
Angiogenesis
This piece evokes the insidious nature of Glioblastoma through the process of root growth. The parallels in plant growth and tumour growth, echo to this pattern within nature. The term 'Angiogenesis', refers to the formation of new blood vessels within the brain. This allows a tumour to retain a blood supply and invade healthy tissue for nutrients to grow. As we see the roots of the plant slowly grow and invade the empty space within the sculpture, we can understand how removing a tumour mass will not cure Glioblastoma.
Blooming Tumour
Encasing the Bacopa Monnieri plant in an agar, reflects the brain’s viscosity as an adaptable and malleable organ. The plant escaping from the brain, further echoes the uncontrollable nature of Glioblastoma as a tumour.
The gradual spread of mould, echoes the pervasive symptoms involved with Glioblastoma.
Mould is seen as a visual indicator of disease and decay, this connection reflects the visual indicators of Glioblastoma such as headaches, paralysis and seizures.
Invasion
This sculpture resembles the traditional methods of organ conservation in medicinal jars. The jar encases around a 3D printed brain with the Bacopa Monnieri plant entangling itself inside the vessel. The outgrowth of the Bacopa Monnieri plant allows the viewer to see the insidious growth pattern of Glioblastoma. Despite the similar growth pattern of the plant towards a brain tumour. The plant also resembles a sense of hope for brain tumour treatment, due to its anti-cancer properties. The light emanating from the brain, explores the idea of the brain as an illuminated vessel, constantly active, but also the sense of hope from the plants anti-tumour properties.
Crystal Universe
This pieces offers an intimate view inside my 3D printed brain, providing visitors a viewpoint from a surgeon’s eye. The video explores the cavernous mystery within the brain and the interesting patterning and texture. The hue and colouring of the video near the end of the piece, mimics the use of Gleolan within intra-operative brain surgery, that reveals the tumour site.
The poem that accompanies this pieces, reflects the artists' personal experience of her mothers diagnosis. The poem communicates the symptoms of Glioblastoma, such as seizures, paralysis, expressive aphasia and headaches.
Through using poetry, it communicates an empathetic and engaging tone, by resonating with visitors the traumatising experience of caring for a loved one with cancer.
What is going on inside your mind?
Life does not wait for you,
It carries on with or without you,
I watch you lie in your chair as you stare up at the sky, shaking, foaming, screaming,
What is happening? What is going on inside your mind?
There is something inside of you,
Invading your brain,
Taking hold of your body,
Its roots wrap around every piece of your tissue, suffocating the life from you,
Magnets fill your brain, pulling you from side to side,
You are uncontrollable, yet controlled over this parasite.
Blue lights shine through,
Sirens roar,
Is this déjà vu? I have felt like this before, instead afraid of your life over mine.
Dizzying is this feeling,
Imagining this creature move insidiously through your brain pathways, planning its route through the creases of your mind,
Helpless is this feeling,
Watching it take away your voice, your movement, your personality, with no ability to cease its incessancy,
I must just watch and wait,
Watch and wait,
Watch and wait.
