ELAINE DUIGENAN

 

Mysteries of Generation

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This is an old piece of work but it embodies the notion of 'precarious states' that was a catalyst for much of my ensuing work.

 

Mysteries came about after the first time I visited the Hunterian Museum at The Royal College of Surgeons of England, London.  I was completely fascinated by the 200 year old animal specimens made by pioneer surgeon John Hunter. 

 

I was seeing things that I’d never seen before.  I focussed on the reproductive specimens as they gave an interior view that was compelling.   I found the specimens mesmerising, so contained and still in their watery worlds.  I thought a lot about the nature of preservation and how such objects are caught in limbo neither fully alive or dead.