Artist Gail Wight uses scientific research as the basis for her art-making practice. Six new works on view at Patricia Sweetow Gallery in San Francisco are stunning examples of her genious and skill.
Solar Burn; LSD, 2011, burned vellum, 18″ x 15″
Solar Burn; Chloral Hydrate, 2011, burned vellum, 18″ x 15″
Drawing from a pharmacutical study from 1948 (repeated again by NASA in 1995), Wight recreated the fascinating results of the studies by using the sun and a magnifying glass to ‘draw’ the webs.
Solar Burn; Caffeine, 2011, burned vellum, 18″ x 15″
This body of work is just one example of how Wight’s work encourages us to look at our human-ness…our culture and our actions. The confused and disorderly web spun by the caffeinated spider is an interesting example of the dramatic effects of a commonly ingested drug…I think I’ll skip the second cup of coffee.