The effects of brain and mental health will affect us all at some point either directly or through someone we love. The role and investigation of consciousness is central to most artists practice in one way or another and research into how the brain functions has fed creative work perhaps since humans started making art. What is art if not an external expression of our internal thoughts?
As well as being for a good cause the artworks shown here also present us with these artists interpretation of the brains role in their lives. A poignant reminder to take care of ourselves and those around us.
Auction info
World-class artists’ sculptures to be auctioned in aid of Parkinson’s UK supported by The Auction Collective and Christie’s.
World-renowned international artists have come together to contribute work to Me, My Brain and I an exciting series of brain sculptures to be exhibited and auctioned in aid of Parkinson’s UK, Auction Collective and Christie’s. The auction will take place Wednesday 9 November 2022 be live streamed via The Auction Collective, where the viewing room can be accessed from October. All money raised will go towards Parkinson’s UK’s vital work into new treatments and a cure. The Me, My Brain and I exhibition will run at Koppel X in Central London Friday 28 to Sunday 30 October and will be the first time the sculptures are shown publicly – some having previously featured at The Other Art Fair in 2021. Alongside works by David Bailey, BRAIN FREEZE, Rob and Nick Carter, D*Face, Alex Echo, Tracey Emin, Abigail Fallis, Hayden Kays, Dion Kitson, LUAP, Schoony, Conrad Shawcross, Gavin Turk, Nick Veasey, included will be a new work painted live on the opening night by the artist Geoff Uglow.
The brain sculpture design was initially conceived by theatrical effects artist Schoony, who created the form of the life-sized fabricated brains for participating artists to use as a blank canvas, as they were asked to consider what their brain means to them and create a new work inspired by this. Alex Echo, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in early 2020, is among the artists participating in the project, and stated:
“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in early 2020 and I hope my brain sculpture, Tremor, will create a visual representation of what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s. It’s been difficult, but when I’m doing art, time disappears. Parkinson’s disappears. Worries disappear. Art saves my life every day and has for 42 years.”
Artist-led workshops will run throughout the exhibition, inviting audiences of all ages to celebrate the complexity of the human brain, to explore what their brain means to them and raise awareness of Parkinson’s and the charity’s work. There is no need to book, and they are free to attend. People can also get involved from the comfort of their own homes by visiting the Parkinson’s UK website for a downloadable brain. Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising & Engagement, Parkinson’s UK commented:
“Me, My Brain and I invites us all to consider our own brain, to visualise it as the source of all the things that make us ‘us’. Our brains curate our lives, on the one hand, acting as unique libraries, holding memories, experiences and skills, while on the other powering supercomputer-powered curiosity, creativity and innovation.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with The Auction Collective and Christie’s with what we believe is a beautiful, thought-provoking, and moving creative experience. We’re indebted to the incredibly generous artists who are making this possible with a single shared aim: to raise funds for Parkinson’s research and to find a cure.”
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and around 145,000 people in the UK have the condition. With over 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to depression and anxiety, it’s more than just “the shakes”. Some of the artists involved in the exhibition, including Alex Echo, have been affected by Parkinson’s and have visualised what the condition means to them.
Exhibition location and timings:
Koppel X, 48 Regent’s Street, Piccadilly Circus, London
Friday 28 October, 12 noon – 8pm
Saturday 29 October, 8am – 8pm
Sunday 30 October, 10am – 4pm
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle
