DNA Art: David Becker, Beverly St Clair and Wyllie O Hagan

I’ve been thinking about using the metaphor of DNA in my work. This came about as the Textile Centre of Excellence uses SigNature DNA, using plant DNA in anti-counterfeiting, so I was pondering ways of depicting this innovation.

But generally speaking I could include it visually as a metaphor, how the industry is part of Huddersfield’s DNA, in the same way I’ve included the fabric metaphor I mentioned before.

David Becker translates the DNA codes of plants and animals, each a unique sequence represented by G’s, A’s, T’s and C’s into graphic design-influenced artworks where people can see clearly the difference between species, as opposed to the challenging scientific way.

White-fir tree

Tarantula

Oregano

Mint

Humming Bird

Human

Herring Gull

Great White Shark

Goldfish

Fruit Fly

Elephant

Cat

Bald Eagle

Arabic Coffee

Website pic:

Similarly, Beverly St Clair uses genetic information to create quilt designs, which have more of a geometrical construction. See how here: http://www.genomequilts.com/genome.php

Y alu polymorphism

WIG-1 Gene

My Mitochondrial DNA (done via a National Geographic project and a cheek swab)

Human Red Cone Pigment detail

Hepatitis Virus C Gene

Wyllie O Hagan are a double act who create allsorts of pieces including a DNA series. I suspect these are more about aesthetics and aren’t really contemporary art in terms of concepts.