Saturday, May 8, 2010

Neurogenesis after ischemia


An image by PhD student Lavinia Codd inspired this double-layered work, Neurogenesis after ischemia. This work uses fluorescent rayon threads in interlocking lines of knotted loop stitch on black silk shantung. These stitches represent neurogenesis, which is increased in the week after a stroke (ischemia). The layer of "angry astrocytes", as Dr Adam Hamlin describes them, are represented by magenta seed beads stitched onto sheer black organza using invisible thread.

This work is quite abstract. It expresses feelings of loss and absence caused by a stroke, as well as hope for regeneration and the future. It's dedicated to my dad, who suffered a minor stroke that affected his ability to recall and use certain words in his vocabulary.

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