Brian (a brain lit up like a Christmas tree)

Evelyn Simpson, Hobart City High School

In collaboration with Samantha Bramich, Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, UTAS

Artist’s Statement

I was working with Sam, who is a sleep scientist. Her work is around a sleep disorder called Isolated REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder, which is linked to diseases like dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Isolated REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder (iRBD) presents with arm and leg movements in sleep which shouldn’t be possible during REM sleep. People with iRBD move around while dreaming and often act out their dreams. People might punch or kick while sleeping and that can cause quite a few issues in their personal lives. There isn’t much known about it, so that’s why it’s currently being researched. Scientists like Sam, monitor this condition with sticky patches on the limbs as well as other places. These patches are connected to a machine by wires. The machine measures movement during REM sleep, which can help lead to a diagnosis.

Instead of focussing on the dream and movement aspects, I was inspired by the scientific brain aspect. I have made a giant sculpture of a brain, with fairy lights sticking out, to represent neurons and different lobes of the brain.

I decided to place my brain sculpture on a pillow to represent a brain during sleep. I hope that my artwork can make people curious and inspire them to explore their own interests in science.