Brain Stains
My Brain Stain series exploits the aesthetic qualities of brain scans of people experiencing mental health conditions. PET scans measure changes associated with blood flow. Comparing scans reveals compelling differences between different diagnoses through presence, absence, and proportion of certain hues. For example, a PET scan of a depressed brain shows predominance of blue, which indicates decreased activity, and little yellow or orange, which indicates increased activity.
In this work, I combine solid areas of stitched embroidery thread with acrylic paint stains. Universal emotions are cloaked in the language of clinical technology. My interest is in this combination of objective data with more poetic interpretation as a reflection of both corporeal and clinical experiences of mental illness.
In partnership with Shiny Apple Studio, I have produced a series of enamel pins called Neuro Blooms to accompany my Brain Stain series and spark important conversations about mental health. You can find the Neuro Bloom project, including pins and other swag at www.neuroblooms.com.
