Photo Genetics - Chromosomes

'Gina came to the Guy's Hospital Genetics Department in November 2002 as its first artist in residence. For five months she worked with patients, doctors, counsellors, scientists and administrative staff. At first Gina worked with her camera and quietly watched and listened. She began to understand something about genetics, and how genetic diseases affect human beings and families.

After a while, she started taking photographs. The first pictures were documentary photographs that portrayed the work of the department. Soon, beautiful images began to appear. Images of people and chromosomes and genes. Even images of ideas about genetics.

Gina has created the photographs that are now displayed throughout the Genetics Department. They tell the story of what happens in our department. It is a story about a scientific subject. But it is also a story about people working together.'

Dr Fred Kavalier, Consultant Geneticist

The Genetics Department artist-in-residence project was made possible by a grant from the Guy's and St Thomas' Charitable Foundation. The project was organised by a Genetics Department team, led by Dr Fred Kavalier. The exhibition of photographs was designed by Elaine McLaren.