Charlie is creating a series delicate hand drawn glass sculptures which respond to the emerging cell cultures she’s observing through microscopes in Dr Selina’s Wray’s dementia research lab at UCL’s Institute of Neurology.
Researching and learning about the cells structures and architectures (cytoarchitecture) through her making experiments and activities, she is investigating the many different ways in which cells and their functions are visualised and represented.
Examining the intricate rituals, processes and tools used to develop and nurture human tissues in 2 and three dimensional formats , Charlie’s ‘studies’ sketch out some of the structures, cell types and connections she has been learning about as she observed her own cells being gradually transformed into functioning neuronal cultures.
Applying new techniques and colour into her work using upcycled scientific glass, ‘studies for neurons’ and artworks following these maquettes reference codified colour stains used to identify and verify cell types and explore questions around the supposed neutrality and of perspective in scientific representation.
These are early maquettes from an ongoing series