The Art of Intelligent Ageing: Portraits of the Lothian Birth Cohorts

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Description

10am - 4pm, Monday to Saturday
27 October until 24 November 2018
Edinburgh College of Art Fire Station

The portraits – painted by renowned artist Fionna Carlisle – capture the personalities behind the Lothian Birth Cohorts (LBCs), some of the most-intensively studied research participants in the world.

Included in the exhibition is her new portrait of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Professor Peter Higgs – who took part in a previous study of healthy ageing at the University.

More than one billion data points have been collected for each of the LBCs’ members. These have revealed that both genetics and lifestyle factors contribute to healthy ageing.

Ms Carlisle depicts the LBC members with graphic, bold brushstrokes. She has painted prominent figures in Scotland, including former First Minister Alex Salmond – which hangs in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery – and the late former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, which is part of the House of Commons Art Collection.

The paintings will be shown alongside scientific treasures from the study participants, including a 3D-printed brain and a highly-detailed crystal etching of the brain’s wiring from one of the participants.

The exhibition has been curated by former Keeper of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Dr Duncan Thomson.

Wick-born artist Fionna Carlisle studied at Edinburgh College of Art and has exhibited her work across the world, including New York, Chicago, Moscow and Paris.
Period27 Oct 201824 Nov 2018
Degree of RecognitionRegional

Keywords

  • Art