Illuminating the Self online

Illuminating the Self

As the gallery is currently closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we thought we would bring together all of the fantastic digital resources produced by the team behind our Illuminating the Self exhibition.

About the exhibition

Illuminating the Self is an exhibition of new work by artists Susan Aldworth and Andrew Carnie in response to groundbreaking research led by Newcastle University into developing a new treatment for epilepsy.

The exhibition, which includes further work at Vane Gallery, will explore different aspects of the University's CANDO project (Controlling Abnormal Network Dynamics using Optogenetics). Optogenetics is a biological technique that involves the use of light to control cells in the brain that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels.

Themes within the two exhibitions include the human perspective of living with epilepsy and the potential impact of technological interventions within the brain. Aldworth and Carnie utilise a range of artistic techniques including large scale video and sculptural installations to explore through art the complex scientific, emotional and ethical issues involved, whether that is revealing the inner workings of the brain or expressing how it feels to have epilepsy.

Illuminating the Self is supported by Wellcome. Wellcome exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive. They support researchers, take on big health challenges, campaign for better science, and help everyone get involved with science and health research. Wellcome are a politically and financially independent foundation.