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One Drop of Blood, 2013.

Porcelain & glaze. Varying (interactive) dimensions. 2013.

This project is partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Australia.

One Drop of Blood presents the white blood cell equivalent to one drop of human blood. These cells have the primary function of attacking disease and infection. One drop contains a number that ranges between seven and twenty-five thousand, which often indicates the seriousness of whatever the body is trying to expel. 

The work comprises individually handmade porcelain cells, mimicking a high ranging white blood cell count. Both in its materiality and presentation, One Drop of Blood echoes sentiments of vulnerability and preciousness, which have been informed by personal memory. Beyond this, the project finds purpose as a tool for raising awareness and funds to Breast Cancer Research.

In the tradition of artist's like Felix Gonzalez-Torres; viewers are invited to take portions of the work away with them in exchange for a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This participation is intended to emulate my mother’s dropping white blood cell count during chemotherapy, while raising funds toward breast cancer research.

Photography: Ben Tupas.

Special thanks goes to: Revecka Carnes, Lizzie Crouch, Bella Frobel, Emma Lamb, Gigi Panopoulos, Jennie Toy, Eileen Truong, Kylie White, Robyn Wilson and Laura Woodward, for their assistance in 'replenishing the white blood cell count' by 1,993 cells during a workshop of mine at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) in Melbourne. This replenishment was undertaken in partnership with the Science Gallery of Melbourne and London, while the project was touring as part of their "BLOOD" exhibition in 2017.