How did it start?

After visiting Professor John Hartley at the Cancer Research UK - Drug DNA funded laboratory in London, we felt inspired and compelled to create a significant artwork on this topic.

What is it?

Transformations in Science and Art is a 42metre cross-media artwork by artists Clare O Hagan and Denise Wyllie.

It was created during an Arts Residency with the Cancer Research UK-funded Research Group in the Department of Oncology at University College London.

The initial spark for the project came not from a concern with outcomes, but from the realisation that the Research Scientist and the Artist both use visualisation and visual representation as a prime source of understanding: a means to explore, comprehend and communicate meaning. We the artists gained inspiration from the techniques used in the laboratory and creatively interpreted this in this ambitious, timely, and positive artwork.

Why did you do it?

We iniatated and devised the whole project from it's beginning by ourselves. We receive no funding and the work is not being done in response to any request.

The work of the Cancer Research UK Group is focused on developing new cancer therapies based on DNA as a target. It was powerful, and mentally stimulating and we took the incentive to create work of particular value, exploring new medical and scientific technologies. We incorporated them into our contemporary art piece.

What does the cross media textile artwork look like?

Printed along the 42 metre length of Transformations in Science and Art is the double helical structure of DNA, the emblematic representation at the heart of the scientific research.

What materials and processes are there in this work?

We have employed traditional and contemporary art media, as we have a broad knowledge of many fine art, graphic and textile processes.

Using the latest technology screen inks, the fluorescent microscopy and phosphorimage results, and fluorescent multicolour chromosome banding imagery, generated by the scientists are mirrored in the artwork.

Fluorescent, bio-technolgical, microscope, phospho-image and auto-radiographic DNA imaging directly interpreted into the work utilising inventive use of the following techniques:

• digital image transfer
• heat bonding fabrics
• dye punching (shapes are cut out of fabric)
• multi layering
• recycled scientific source material - film of cluster analysis gene microarray data
• silkscreen printing
• embellishing
• plastics and embellishments

How long did it take and where was it constructed?

Transformations in Science and Art is an ongoing work, beginning in the Summer of 2001, when we began to develop our ideas , philosphy followed by technical research about the subject. We set up an artists studio at the UCL - Middlesex Hospital when the Cancer Research UK Laboratory is housed. Being onsite afforded us access to the scientists and their work. Conversely, we received many visitors from the department, from Consultant Oncologists to young medical students.

Why Transformation?

Taking a clue from the word transformation, used frequently in a scientific context, the artists have transformed a 42-metre length of fabric, originally donated for use as rags, into a vividly coloured and embellished object of beauty.

The term transformation underpins the project in three important ways: Firstly, the specific scientific usage referring to transformation of cells resulting in the pathological change to cancer.

Secondly, the transformation of the donated materials into the finished artwork.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, transforming attitudes to cancer and drug treatment by positively interpreting and demystifying the scientific advances that give us hope for the future.

DNA is hot at the moment, how does it feature in your work?

DNA is central to the project in that the artwork examines the growing awareness of the biological blueprint, DNA, and the vital role it plays in the development of medical research and drug therapy.

DNA's structure was revealed by scientists Crick and Watson who were informed of it's three dimensional structure by seeing the X ray photographs of the scientist Rosalind Franklin.

“Rosalind Franklin....had given the first clear picture of DNA in the form in which the molecule opens to replicate itself” (Bernal)

These first clear pictures of DNA are interpreted in the work, together with the space filled molecular model of DNA.

Where are you showing the work?

The Opening Exhibition of Transformations in Science and Art, at the ICH Gallery in London, in April coincided with the fifty year anniversary of the publication of Watson and Cricks paper in Nature, giving the structure of DNA. The ICH Gallery is housed in The Institue of Child Health, and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London.

The work is being exhibited at the

• Museum of Textiles in Lisbon
• Greenbelt 03, Cheltenham
• Drumcroon Educational Gallery, Wigan
• The Karelian Art Museum, Petrozavodsk, Russia.

Has Transformations in Science and Art made the subject of DNA more accessible?

This bold and unique creative artwork appeals on many different levels. It is a tribute to the commitment, inspiration, openness and creativity of the many people involved in Cancer Research. For the scientists it is an appreciation and celebration of their work. In creating a bridge between the research and the individual it helps to make complex and challenging subjects more accessible.

To the many different people who participate in the Whitework it is a chance to contribute to a major project in a very personal and often spiritual way. And for the observer, it is not only visually striking and challenging, but an education and an inspiration.

Professor Crick has been presented this year, in California, with a framed print of the work by the Head Teacher of his old school.

The work when exhibited in the Opening Exhibition at the ICH Gallery, London was visited by MP's, leading figures in Medical Research.

This resulted in an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons, raised by Dr Rudi Vis, MP:

“That this house congratulates the artists Clare O Hagan and Denise Wyllie who are working with Professor John Hartley and his Cancer Research UK funded team at the Department of Oncology at UCL on their 42 metre cross-media textile artwork, Transformations in Science and Art at the Institute of Child Health, WCI; notes that the textile examines the growing awareness of the biological blueprint, DNA, and the vital role it plays in the development of medical research and drug therapy:believes that it relects the dedication, openness and achievements of the scientists and represents a celebration of the inherent creativity of their work: and further notes, most importantly, that it aims to transform fearful attitudes to cancer and chemotherapy drug treatment by showing the incredible advances in scientific research and remediation.”

Equally important, members of the public who took part in the whitework workshops visited the work in exhibition - these included Afro Caribean Elderly womens group plus The North London Deaf Childrens Society.

Some of their comments include:

• “It's forever changed my associations with cancer from grey, bleak forbidding to light, hope, thoughfulness, colour”
• “Loved the colours, especially of the Golden Light works - enjoyable, even for a physicist”
• “Beautiful life affirming project”
• “Vibrant, joyful, yet also stirs the subconcious”

Where does the Whitework sit in Transformations in Science and Art?

There is a companion artwork piece to Transformations in Science and Art - The Whitework. In this piece we have invited participation from designers, individuals, educational and community groups.

“Whitework” - is a general term covering a bank of techniques, where the unifying factor is that they are all worked in white fabric with white thread.

This whitework represents quiet space for contemplation, prayer and remembrance. It represents an area of calm in the midst of noise and activity.

The Whitework offers us the chance to make something contemplative. It is intended that, like a prayer,it is a special and private gift. To the many different people who participated in the Whitework it is a chance to contribute to a major project in a very personal and often spiritual way. For the observer, it is not only visually striking and challenging, but an education and an inspiration.

The cross-media artwork can be exhibited either as a wall piece, or as a sculpture. As a sculpture it can be held by participants forming a spiral, or unicursal labyrinth. The sculpture symbolises the steps taken on a journey; either a journey of systematic research and clinical testing and refinement, or as the personal journey of an individual. At the heart of the journey is the Whitework; a space of quietness and contemplation after the stunning colour.

Where is Transformations in Science and Art going?

We are delighted at the response to this work, with people actively engaging. Inspirational is the word we hear most in peoples description of their experience of the work.

We are looking for commerical sponsorship to continue with this innovative and life enhancing project.

• We aim to develop the work in a number of areas:
• Publication of the work
• Archive
• Exhibiting the work
• Making the work available for educational and medical research centres.
• Animating the work with movement and dance
• Making the work accessible online

We have prints for sale, and the artists accept commissioned work.