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Sculpture of the brain made from layering donated human hair into a mould of a model brain. This hair is from a female donor and retains its natural grey colouring.

"Hair brained" is an English idiomatic phrase used as a derogatory term to explain someone's possibly irrational thought.



The brain measures approximately 18 cm (W) by 17 cm (H) by 18 cm (D).

Sculpture of the brain made from layering donated human hair into a mould of a model brain. This hair is from a female donor and retains its natural brown auburn colouring.

"Hair brained" is an English idiomatic phrase used as a derogatory term to explain someone's possibly irrational thought.



The brain measures approximately 18 cm (W) by 17 cm (H) by 18 cm (D).

This image shows a healthy strand of hair from a Caucasian woman with brown hair. The outer layer of the hair is the cuticle and is made up of overlapping cells, which protect the cortex layer underneath. Most strands of hair have three layers, the medulla is the third and innermost layer (which is absent in blond hair).

Caucasian brown hair

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph showing the surface of a single strand of hair which has been heavily bleached and straightened. This image shows the tip of a hair taken from the front of the head of a female of Caucasian descent. Although naturally curly, the hair has been repeatedly straightened. Exposure to hair colour or dye, heating and drying can over time damage the hair shaft (barbed wire-like appearance seen here) making the hair brittle and more prone to breakage. The hair shaft is made up of several layers of a tough protein called keratin. The outer layer (cuticle) is visible here and is made up of overlapping, tightly packed scales. Horizontal width of image is 829 micrometres.

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Sculpture of the brain made from layering donated human hair into a mould of a model brain. The donor of this hair is unknown as it was purchased from a cosmetic shop in London. Prior to purchase, the hair had been bleached to obtain the blonde colour seen here.

"Hair brained" is an English idiomatic phrase used as a derogatory term to explain someone's possibly irrational thought.



The brain measures approximately 18 cm (W) by 17 cm (H) by 18 cm (D).

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Hair colour

Images

Works

Hair brain sculpture

Hair brain sculpture

Caucasian brown hair

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Hair brain sculpture

Today’s opening times

Wellcome uses cookies.

Hair colour

Images

Works

Hair brain sculpture

Hair brain sculpture

Caucasian brown hair

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Hair brain sculpture

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times