Helen Casey

Being an artist and a strong admirer of Biology, I've always enjoyed the natural linkages between the scientific study of life and the visual study of life as an inspiration for Art. Much of my work before now has been seeking inspiration around natural and organic forms in nature, such as trees. Nature is the ultimate source of all creation. I was driven to explore the natural forms and often unnatural growths of the human body, the human brain and the disease Alzheimer’s, through personal familial experience.

When I was thinking about how Alzeihmers affects the brain I couldn't help but compare it to how Ivy affects trees. Ivy clings on to trees and works its way up to the canopy looking for light; however in doing so it blocks important connections that the tree needs in order to photosynthesise properly. It doesn't kill the tree but simply disrupts its daily functions. Similarly in Alzheimer's the connections in the brain are blocked not allowing for all the information to get through. In turn, disrupting day-to-day activity.