Hair brain sculptures

Alzheimer's disease, artwork

Hair brain sculpture

Mamamania: An artistic interpretation of Alzheimer's Disease

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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).

Three sculptures of the brain made from layering donated human hair into moulds of model brains. Left: hair from a female donor that retains its natural brown auburn colouring. Centre: 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. Right: hair from a female donor that retains its natural grey colouring.

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



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

A study of the artists grandmother's hands, folded in her lap. The artist's grandmother suffers from Alzheimer's, and this painting was created shortly after 'Mama' moved to a nursing home, after her Alzheimer's disease progressed to a stage where could no longer look after herself. "She lost a lot of weight, and a broad, strong, matriarch became a feeble, bird-like woman. Yet however small her frame became, her hands remained large and strong and capable." 



'Mania' expresses the dementia Mama experiences, also reflected in the fragmented shapes and background of the painting; an atmosphere reflecting the nightmares she described earlier on in the process of losing her mind, when she was still able to explain it. Mania, also relates to the Latin roots of the word for hand. The relaxed pose of her hands in the picture alludes to the way the body can settle and remain hardy, even when the mind has become chaotic.

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Elderly

Images

Catalogue

Hair brain sculpture

Hair brain sculptures

Hair brain sculptures

Hair brain sculpture

Mamamania: An artistic interpretation of Alzheimer's Disease

Today’s opening times

Wellcome uses cookies.

Elderly

Images

Catalogue

Hair brain sculpture

Hair brain sculptures

Hair brain sculptures

Hair brain sculpture

Mamamania: An artistic interpretation of Alzheimer's Disease

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times