7 Series: Cl-

Hand-painted resin cast on beech base.

Sculpture: 49cm x 16cm x 7cm

Base: 27cm x 7cm x 17cm

SOLD

A response to the loss of my brother-in-law and friend, Dean, the 7 Series explores the condition and genetics of cystic fibrosis.

The protein coded by the CFTR gene maintains a balance of fluid and salt in the cell. When a mutation occurs in the gene, it functions poorly, and salt is not transported properly.

This saltwater helps to move and break up mucus. Without this, the mucus is unable to flow easily in and out of the lungs, pancreas and other organs, resulting in infections. Over time this leads to lung damage which is virtually impossible to reverse.

Salty skin is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis as the salt in sweat is not reabsorbed and remains on the skin.

In medieval times, folklore warned “Woe is the child who tastes salty from a kiss on the brow, for he is cursed, and soon must die.” Medical texts dating back to 1595 connected salty skin and damage to the pancreas with witchcraft. Children with these symptoms were believed to have been hexed. Even now, a test designed to measure the amount of chloride in the sweat is used on a widespread basis to screen for cystic fibrosis.

Thanks to our developing understanding of genetics and screening it may be possible in future to alert carrier couples before they conceive.

The position of the CF gene (CFTR) is indicated on the sculpture by the colourful band on one of the long arms (an aesthetic decision, as in reality the gene is in the same position on both long arms).