Susan Aldworth, Andrew Carnie: Illuminating the Self

‘Illuminating the Self’ responds to ground-breaking research at Newcastle University into a new treatment for epilepsy. The exhibition consists of artworks by Susan Aldworth and Andrew Carnie that explore different aspects of the university’s CANDO (Controlling Abnormal Network Dynamics using Optogenetics) project. Optogenetics is a technique that involves the use of light to control cells in living tissue, typically brain cells, that have been genetically modified to be light-sensitive. A parallel exhibition of work by both artists takes place at Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University, running from 18 January to 9 May 2020.

The exhibitions explore the human perspective of living with epilepsy and the neurological processes happening within the brain. Both artists are concerned with the hidden aspects of epilepsy, whether that is revealing the inner workings of the brain or expressing how it feels to have epilepsy.