An exhibition by Aisha Cahn, Saatchi Gallery, London, March 2017. Aisha Cahn is a contemporary British artist whose current series of work titled “Embrace” is inspired by the science of cells, and the narrative of her mother’s experience with cancer.
After the passing of her mother, Aisha began researching the science of cells – in particular cancer cells, for her art work. She spent time at laboratories such as Imperial College, Cancer Research UK, and the Royal Free Hospital where incredible progress is being made in finding a cure for cancer through drug development and immunotherapy. During her research, Aisha was particularly drawn towards immunology and worked very closely with the professors at the Royal Free Hospital. The breakthrough discovery that T cells and NK cells can destroy cancer cells was the initial source of inspiration for her new series “Embrace”, leading her to combine art and science, something which Aisha has always reflected in her work.The exhibition is a body of work comprised of drawings, silk screen prints, paintings and installations.
Embrace Exhabition at Saatchi GalleryAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLS SUSPENDED
The Installation of Cells gave a new dimension to Aisha's work, as she was beginning to embark on three dimensional installations. As a result of this she created a much larger installation comprising over three hundred acrylic discs, each representing cell formation. Although the same technique was applied to each and every disc, they are all very different, just as no two cells are the same
CELLOPLANE 1 (2014/2016) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLOPLANE 1
The inspiration for this painting was through observations of the formation of red blood cells.
CELLOPLANE 2 (2014/2016) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLOPLANE 2
Inspiration for this painting is drawn from various formations of adult stem cells
CELLOPLANE 3 (2014/2016) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLOPLANE 3
Inspiration for this painting is drawn from various formations of embryonic stem cells.
CELLOPLANE 4 (2014/2016) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLOPLANE 4
Observation of cancer division was the inspiration for this painting.
CELLOPLANE 5 (2014/2016) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLOPLANE 5
Aisha's interpretation and observation of the various forms of cell development has enabled her to create a composition of combining the disciplines of science and spirituality.
CELLOPLANE 6 (2014/2016) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLOPLANE 6
There is definitely an element of spirituality within this painting. The monochromatic tonalities of the various shades of blues draws the viewer into a state of contemplation.
CELLOPLANE 7 (2014/2016) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLOPLANE 7
Aisha likes to create luminosity within her work and here it works well with the composition of cell development and her use of colour.
CELLOPLANE 8 (2014/2016) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLOPLANE 8
Sometimes fluorescent dyes enhance areas for research when investigating cell development
INSTALLATION OF CELLS
The installation of cells comprised of twenty four acrylic discs representing cell formation
INFINITY CABINET
The Infinity Cabinet is an installation representing the growth of red blood cells in an infinite form. It also shows the natural human killer cells attacking the infected cells.
PETRI DISHES
Much research was carried out by the professors that Aisha worked with regarding the progress and discoveries being made in finding a cure for cancer. Having seen many images through the microscope, Aisha created an installation of her interpretation of the cell developments in petri dishes.
SET OF 6 PEN & INK DRAWINGS
These pen & ink drawings show the stages of an NK cell attacking a cancer cell, by perforating the cancer cell with a poison called granzyme, which eventually eradicates it.
SET OF 6 PENCIL DRAWINGS
These pencil drawings show the stages of a Natural Killer cell attacking a cancer cell, by perforating the cancer cell with a poison called granzyme, which eventually eradicates it.
Set of four screen prints (2014/2017)Aisha Cahn Foundation
SET OF FOUR SCREEN PRINTS
These screen prints show the stages of an Natural Killer cell attacking a cancer cell, by perforating the cancer cell with a poison called granzyme, which eventually eradicates it.
CELLS (2015/2017) by Aisha CahnAisha Cahn Foundation
CELLS
The monochromatic hues and the enhanced cell formation from the composition within this painting.
RIBBONS 1
These paintings show cell formation with DNA ribbons that are camouflaged with blocks of colour, just as the DNA ribbon is hidden within each cell.
Credits to;
The Royal Free Charities for presenting the exhibition Embrace
Newhall Solicitors, Cell Medica & Openspace for sponsoring the show
Saatchi Gallery, for hosting the show
Andrew Gitting, Curator
Chang Ryu, Photographer
Prof Hans Stauss, Prof Justin Stebbing, Prof Mark Lowdell, Prof Martin Birchall, all who helped me with the research for this exhibition.
