Mindfully experimenting to develop metaphors for disease and decay.  Each object, a simple tube, stands alone as a single painting, whilst acting as an accomplice to its neighbours, in a catalogue of alchemic findings.

The predictability of repetitively making the same form acted as both a grounding and leaping off point for the work, supporting healing and renewal after a long period of navigating a terminal illness (MND) and a period of loss.   

Using nature to calm the mind and over thinking is an every day occurence

Life is not always at it may seem. Sometimes we mask our feelings and fears to protect those around us.

Grey matter gets its grey tone from a high concentration of neurons. Grey matter in the central nervous system is what enables us to control movement, memory and emotions. Medical problems occur when plaque begins to build up in areas of grey matter.

Undoubtedly there was plaque build up. She was in denial and many didn’t notice.

If only the signs of neurological disease could be physically seen from the outside. This sculpture is designed to be picked up and examined to be able to readily see the changes hidden beneath and within the sculpture. Research into diseases such as Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia and motor neurone diseases require brain samples, growing brains, brain imaging, mice.

In retrospect, the lesion had been there for some time but subtly hidden from view.

As her cognition deteriorated the memories changed and her versions of the truth became a muddle of real and altered memories.

A diseased state

The butterfly shape of the brain explored with thoughts of her and her obsession with purple which I’m sure will have increased the pinky hues.

Blood tests are the starting point and an ongoing feature of a cancer diagnosis

Contrast scans, a regular feature following a cancer diagnosis, pumped with radioactive dye so they can peer within your hidden insides to identify any intruders.

My mother spent the last 2 years of her life unable to walk & telling me most days that she just wanted to die.

Memento mori - we all must die - uses dead flowers gathered from the South West Coast path - the last place I’d walked with my her & where her ashes were latter scattered.

Cyanotype & feathers installation made with a found photograph from my family archive and found gathered white feathers and threads.