KATE HARRISON ART

Neurone Cluster, Specimens 1-4 I came across these petri dishes and immediately new that I wanted them in my work for their scientific element and the circular shape. The circle has previously come into my work through the embroidery hoop, as well as in my research into sacred geometry and the Flower of Life. Neurone Cluster features multiple layers and combinations of materials displayed in petri dishes, including tracing paper, maps, pen, ink, silk and felt. Continuing my

For this piece I've adopted a new (for me) process of needle felting to create a dense, entangled material reminiscent of a complex network of neurones. The material flows over the constraints of the embroidery hoop to evoke the infinite capabilities of the brain. 'Grey matter contains most of the brain's neuronal cell bodies. The grey matter includes regions of the brain involved in muscle control and sensory perception such as seeing and hearing, memory, emotions, speech, d

In my studio over the last few weeks I've been working on some new silk works on my current theme, Synapse Silks. For the new pieces I've been working on a smaller scale, of 15 x 15cm. My inspiration for smaller works came from making some blank art cards in September 2012. The cards are 13.5cm x 13.5cm, using miniature silk paintings and a white card border. 15cm x 15cm was also the criteria for an exhibition that I was keen to submit some work to, Avenue Gallery's 15 x 15 x

" I predict that mirror neurons will do for psychology what DNA did for biology." - Vilayanur Ramachandran I am intrigued by the discovery of mirror neurons in neuroscience, and have been inspired by neuroscience in my art practice for some time. In our brains the mirror neurons related to a certain motor function or movement will fire, not only when we bend our own knee, for example, but also when we are watching somebody else bend their knee, or when we imagine bending our

For the last few weeks, as well as sketching down ideas for my film works, I’ve been concentrating on some new paintings. I’m still exploring neurological connections, neurons, synapses, and MRI scans of the brain. As I mentioned in my previous post, I’m very interested in the ‘map of the body’ that's located within our brain's neural tissue. The point-to-point mapping of the body surfaces in the brain is called a homunculus and is essential in the creation of a body image, a

For a project that I'm currently working on with The Fabelist journal, called ‘Connect’, I’m currently researching the connections happening right under- or rather behind- our noses, in our brains. For Connect I’ve been exploring the connections of nerves, pathways and neurological activity within the brain, and sensory perception. I’ve been looking at how the brain tracks where each part of the body is, and its sensory inputs and outputs. I’m particularly interested in the b