I enjoy researching and exploring science through art. For my 2019 contribution to the Cambridge Pint of Science/Creative Reactions collaborative event I chose the rare diseases category. I was paired with Dr Delphine Larreiu whose research into Progeria, a premature ageing disorder is based at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research. Delphine and myself met at her lab and I was introduced to the heart-rending world of Progeria. This genetic disorder results in the body ageing about 20 times faster than normal with many of the complications of the elderly showing in childhood. It is life-limiting with mortality generally occurring in the teens. How then to create a worthy piece of art to reflect both the ground-breaking research and heart-breaking effects of my subject?
My initial creative research led me to approach the piece from three thoughts. I wanted to make something beautiful that appeared fragile, as these children appear fragile. I wanted to have a playfulness built into the work to honour the children and their unique biology and character, and I wanted to explore the science and research while reflecting upon the structural manifestations that occur at the intra-cellular level. Within this fragile, playful, structural concept I show three distinct viewpoints, the science with Dr Larrieu’s research, an homage to the children and the physical impact of the disease.
The books are three level flag-book constructions on zig-zag spines
The pages are printed on South bank Smooth, the covers use Payhembury French Shell marbled paper
Text is hand-set letterpress or handwritten
Images are from printers blocks or original linocut
