Introduction to portfolio

The constant concerns in my work are those generated by the complexities of mind and body – ‘the reality’ beyond the scientifically measurable – which I attempt to explore through the intuitive processes of ‘art making’. Crucial to my practice whether in collaboration with others or working as an individual is direct reference to the human being – employing my own models, meeting and talking with patients in a clinical or therapeutic setting, is where I learn most about the subject matter.

This working methodology continues to evolve and develop in accordance with the requirements of, and my intuitive response to, the subject matter and this has been reflected in various exhibitions resulting from collaborations with scientists. For example, as an interchange between art and science initiated by the Wellcome Trust, I have had the privilege of meeting members of the scientific community. Resulting collaborations, either by invite or selection, between artists and scientists, have culminated in a series of exhibitions that have been shown at diverse venues around the country including prestigious medical institutions. These include:

Family Faces and Beneath the Mask David Hopkinson expressed a wish to continue our work together in this area. Our next target was to broaden the scope of our investigation by stretching across the whole pedigree of the living members of my Anglo-Chinese kindred. Our general objectives were to explore and capture the genetic, physical, emotional, social and psychological relationships offered in the appearance of each individual face, using the separate techniques of art and science.

Invisible Body scientific partner was Prof. David Hopkinson our collaborative project explored the relationships amongst the invisible genetic codes and the visible familiar facial features in parents and their children.

Female Puberty and a Search for an Identity. Wellcome Trust award winning Sci-Art ‘97 with Prof. Arthur Crisp, This collaboration was to convey both 3D and textually the psychopathology of the complexities of anorexia nervosa.

Materia medica exhibition I explored the how society categorise, order and prioritise women on either side of the ‘perfect’ body and the direct relationship to the popular science phrenology.