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Cambridge Stem Cell Institute

 

Rebuilding Connections, 2019

 

Rebuilding Connections by Kelly Briggs is an interactive sculpture illustrating the break down of neural connections in Multiple Sclerosis.

During Art + Science at Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre in December 2019, visitors were invited to take apart and rebuild the sculpture. The action of taking apart resembles the ‘demyelination’ that happens to the nerve cells of those with MS, and the rebuilding resembles the ‘remyelination’ that MS researchers are investigating.

Each shape and colour represents a different cell type with a specific function; neurons, oligodendrocytes and neural stem cells (OPCs). The dates engraved onto each of the yellow pieces are the age and year of diagnosis of individuals diagnosed with MS.

 

Artist information

Find more of Kelly's work on her website. 

Kelly Briggs is a practicing artist and researcher currently studying MA Art and Science at Central Saint Martins, London. Her studio is based at Cambridge Artworks where she is currently working on large scale abstract mixed media pieces. 

Briggs’ cross disciplinary practice is focused on the exploration of connection in a world that is increasingly affected by the isolation of a global pandemic.