Black Infection

Black Infection

Artist: Isla Osborne
Materials and Techniques: Lampworked glass, stainless steel, acrylic; constructed
Dimensions: 750mm (diameter), 20mm (depth)

I am particularly interested in the idea of community and use the virus as a metaphor to illustrate how ideas spread both locally and globally.

To me, this work poses a few simple questions; How do we redefine our circumstances when hearing of epidemics in the media? Do we cease to become part of a community because of perceived threats to our well being? I think that isolationist ideas have the ability to spread through communities like viruses and can be damaging on a number of levels.

Acknowledging that there can be more genetic variation in a family group of chimpanzees than the entire human population; how different are we really? Is the human genome so homogenous that we face real danger from a viral epidemic? Or does the real threat come from our voluntary isolation and lack of empathy?

I prefer to think we have the confidence to cherish uniqueness and be open to change.

In ‘Black Infection’ I aim to create a tension between the beauty of the artwork and what it represents. I understand that we don't generally think of viruses as beautiful, but viewed objectively they are exquisite and unique.