The Contamination of Alice #11: Genetic Legacy

Contamination of Alice #11: Genetic Legacy is a sculptural, mixed media work that forms part of an ongoing series inspired by the artist’s experience working with the Saos-2 cells – an immortal cell line established from the bone cancer lesion of an 11-year old girl (Alice) in 1973. Collectively, the series comments on notions of creative contamination and the way in which previous actions and chance encounters create new possibilities and avenues for development. Stimulated by the relative immortality of cell lines and the artist’s dwindling reproductive capabilities, this instance considers avenues of establishing an alternative and ongoing genetic legacy via biotechnology. In particular, the work engages with the potential of establishing an immortal cell line using tissue isolated from a fibroid (benign tumor) growth in the artist’s uterus or alternatively using
genetic engineering techniques to introduce fragments of the artist’s DNA into host organisms.

The work features an Agar mould comprised of a fusion of the artist’s and Alice’s face featuring cells and DNA of the artist. Over time the face will grow different bacterial and fungal colonies in response to initial environmental exposure. The work also includes a video component featuring time-lapse footage of human cells and three wall panels that allude to notions of transformation, fragmentation and dispersion.

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