'Brains: The mind as matter' at the Wellcome Collection, London

Dedicated quite simply, to the brain, the Wellcome Collection's latest exhibition probes this eternally mysterious piece of human machinery, showing how it has been examined, sliced, treated, depicted and revered through time. While there is undoubtedly a scientific bone to the bulk of the exhibition, the close relationship between science and art is a core matter.
Curator Marius Kwint has picked out works by contemporary artists, who have responded to the form and physical matter of the brain in a myriad of ways. There are abstract offerings in Katharine Dowson's glass laser etchings, Susan Aldworth's watercolour series and stills from Andrew Carnie's film 'Atlas'. And there are some suprisingly (if unnervingly) rousing works exploring its physicality, such as photographer Corrine Day's pictures of herself before brain surgery, Daniel Alexander's 'Brandenburg State Hospital' photo series and Ania Dabrowska's portraits of brain donors - along with her graphic presentation of the process of dissection and surgical paraphernalia.
Thematically, the exhibition's four sections break down the way humans have used the brain in the cause of medical intervention, science, culture and technology. 'Measuring / Classifying' defines the relationship between the brain's function and form, 'Mapping / Modelling' delves into its anatomy, 'Cutting / Treating' the (at times) gory history of surgical intervention, while 'Giving / Taking' deals with the subject of brain harvesting and its purpose.
The architecture of the space, designed by Calum Storrie, is a visually striking maze, peppered with angular white columns and plinths. LucienneRoberts+'s graphic identity for the exhibition broadly references the collecting and classifying of the brain - recurring themes in the show. The colourful perspex block letter display Roberts created to illustrate the title, for instance, is a pointed nod to the traditional paraphernalia associated with scientific specimens.
Dedicated quite simply, to the brain, the Wellcome Collection's latest exhibition prods into this eternally mysterious piece of human machinery. Courtesy: Wellcome Library, London
While there is undoubtedly a scientific bone which forms the bulk of the exhibition, the close relationship between science and art is a core matter
LucienneRoberts 's striking graphic identity for the exhibition broadly references the collecting, classifying of the brain - recurring themes in the show. Courtesy: Wellcome Library, London
The colourful perspex block letter display Roberts created to illustrate the title is a pointed nod to the traditional paraphernalia associated with scientific specimens. Courtesy: Wellcome Library, London
'Me just before brain surgery, London hospital, 1996' by Corrine Day, 2000. Courtesy: Corrine Day
Head divided into four cerebral lobes: profile. Drawing with watercolour, c. 1900. Courtesy: Wellcome Library
Electrode head board, Bristol, England, 1958. Courtesy: Science Museum
'Head Ache' (detail), Helen Pynor, 2008, C-type photograph on Duratran, face-mounted on glass, Edition of 5, 173 x 39. Courtesy: the Artist and GV Art
The architecture of the space, designed by Calum Storrie, is a visually striking maze peppered with angular white columns and plinths. Courtesy: Wellcome Library, London
Installation view of 'Brains: The mind as matter'. Courtesy: Wellcome Library, London
Installation view of 'Brains: The mind as matter'. Courtesy: Wellcome Library, London
'SCAN' by Nina Sellars, 2012. Courtesy: Nina Sellars, GV Art
'My Soul' by Katharine Dowson, 2005. Courtesy: Katharine Dowson, GV Art
'Self-Portrait with Saw' by William Utermohlen. Courtesy: Galerie Beckel Odille Boïcos, Paris
'Haus 40, interior', Brandenburg State Hospital, by Daniel Alexander, 2011
Brain slices, dry specimen (human tissue). Courtesy: Richard Wingate, Kings College London
Corrosion cast of brain blood vessels, plastic. Courtesy: The Gordon Museum, Kings College London
Hearing Voices, Susan Aldworth, 2000, watercolour on paper. Courtesy: the Artist and GV Art
'Brainbow' image. Courtesy: Livet and Lichtman Harvard University
Installation view of 'Brains: The mind as matter'. Courtesy: Wellcome Library, London
'Fresh Brain' from the After I'm Gone series, from the Mind Over Matter project by Ania Dabrowska and Dr Bronwyn Parry, 2011.
'Headrest' from the After I'm Gone series, from Mind Over Matter project by Ania Dabrowska and Dr Bronwyn Parry.
Still from the film 'Atlas' by Andrew Carnie. Courtesy: Andrew Carnie, GV Art
Installation view of 'Brains: The mind as matter'. Courtesy: Wellcome Library, London
'Nervous Tissue Note Panel' by David Marron, 2010
Gallery guide for 'Brains: The mind as matter' by LucienneRoberts
ADDRESS
183 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Byredo holiday collection draws inspiration from Wim Wenders and Georgia O’Keefe
Byredo’s creative image director Lucia Pica speaks to Wallpaper* in an exclusive interview, revealing her off-kilter design process
By Mary Cleary Published
-
2024 Pantone Color of the Year is looking deliciously peachy
Peach Fuzz is Pantone Color of the Year – time to refeather your nest in a comforting hue?
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Design Miami 2023 explores how design responds to the world around us
Design Miami 2023 (until 10 December), curated by Anna Carnick, is guided by the theme of ‘Where We Stand’
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Malorie Blackman is celebrated with British Library exhibition
‘Malorie Blackman: The Power of Stories’ at the British Library shines a light on her journey as an author, while touching on social issues represented in her novels
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Helen Johnson explores bodily distortion and ablution at Pilar Corrias
Helen Johnson’s ‘Opening’, at Pilar Corrias in London, unites psychological motives and physicality
By Emily Steer Published
-
Sarabande opens one-stop London store in time for the festive season
The Sarabande Foundation has opened a new permanent art, interiors and fashion store in London
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Now Gallery presents the vibrant culture of ‘A Young South Africa’ captured through the lens
Now Gallery’s ‘A Young South Africa, Human Stories’ showcases six inspiring photographers for the 2023
By Tianna Williams Published
-
‘Women in Revolt!’ at Tate Britain is a deliciously angry tour de force of feminist art
‘Women in Revolt!’ puts feminist art from 1970 – 1990 under the spotlight at Tate Britain
By Hannah Silver Published
-
From Nabokov to Miffy: Liu Ye on his cultural references
Artist Liu Ye tells us what inspires him, as his exhibition ‘Naive and Sentimental Painting’ is on show in London
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Christina Quarles on contorting your body to fit into the frame
Christina Quarles presents ‘Tripping Over My Joy’ at Pilar Corrias’ new flagship Mayfair space
By Katie Tobin Published
-
V&A East announces ‘The Music Is Black: A British Story’, its first major exhibition
London’s V&A East to examine the cultural impact of Black British music with its inaugural exhibition in 2025
By Hannah Silver Published