Geraldine Ondrizek, Chromosome Painting Edition II and Gene Chips
Works in the Exhibition
Chromosome Paintings Edition II 2015
Dye sublimation printed sheer silk, Fabricated for the Fi2 Gallery. Assistance in sewing from Amy Stewart and Tiphanie Laney.
Original image: Chromosome Painting, Figure 5
Jarllon, Aury, Petit, Thorman. Copyright Clearance,Nature Publishing. 2011
Chromosome Painting Book 2013
Laser and Letterpress printed on photo rag paper
Closed 2” x 20” Open 40” fan
Chromosome Paintings Book is based on the image of a synteny map, a colorful, striped array that compares gene sequences and chromosomes between species. The technique of chromosome painting, also known as “fluorescence in situ hybridization” can detect chromosomal abnormalities like translocations and structural alterations that are associated with various diseases. For example, chromosome 19 carries a gene implicated in leukemia. With these disease associations in mind, each page is letterpress printed with the type of cancer correlated with a genetic marker present on the chromosome. The book is based on a pantone color sample book commonly used by artist.
Gene Chip 2015
Images are taken from a DNA microarray (also commonly known as DNA chip, biochip or Gene Chip). The Gene Chip is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Scientists use DNA microarrays to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome. https://www.dnalc.org/resources/animations/dnachip.html
A set of four drawing 12 x 18”
Graphite on Vellum
Geraldine Ondrizek has been a Professor of Art at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, since 1994. Her large-scale works are informed by medical and biological research and explore questions related to genetics. Ondrizek often partners with scientists and medical researchers to create artworks that beautifully incorporate and visualize scientific data.
Chromosome Painting II is the result of a two-year collaboration with researchers in the University of Washington’s department of medical genetics. The work is inspired by synteny maps, or genetic linkage maps, which compare gene sequences between species in order to better understand the evolution of chromosomes. Each of the long, colorful silk panels are printed with human chromosome maps, representing diseases that correlate to a specific genetic marker.
The word “chromosome” comes from the Greek khroma (color) and soma (body). Employing cloth, a medium long associated with domesticity, Ondrizek’s installation poetically represents human “color bodies” or chromosomes. Chromosome Painting II transforms scientific data into a deeply personal visual exploration of humanity.
Also included in this exhibition are Ondrizek’s Gene Chip graphite drawings based on images taken from a DNA microarray. The works elegantly translate scientific data into soft, layered compositions that create a kind of molecular portrait. Although they look completely abstract, DNA microarrays communicate a wealth of knowledge about health and the human condition.
Nicole Herden, Curator of Contemporary Art
Organized by the Boise Art Museum
Boise Art Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational, and charitable organization.
http://www.boiseartmuseum.org/exhibition/geraldine-ondrizek-chromosome-painting-ii/