'ictal phase 1'
An exhibition from early 2008:
'Aura' - the moments preceding a seizure.
450 x 300mm C-type
'Post Ictal' - this dialogue is transcribed from a hospital recording of me in the 'post ictal' state, the minutes following a seizure.
300 x 300mm C-type
'Spike' - a spike in an EEG reading of my brain activity precedes a siezure.
450 x 300mm C-type
'EEG' - an extract from EEG recordings made during video telemetry.
450 x 300mm C-type
'160' - this is made from an MRI scan showing 160 'slices' of my head.
760 x 560mm Screen print
'Epilepsy' - another MRI scan accompanied by the following text:
EPILEPSY From WHO Fact sheet N°165 Revised February 2001
Epilepsy: aetiogy, epidemiology and prognosis (Edited)
A neurological disorder that affects people in every country throughout the world. One of the oldest conditions known to mankind. Characterized by a tendency to recurrent seizures. Defined by two or more unprovoked seizures.
The belief widely held in many countries is that a person with epilepsy is seized by a supernatural force or power.
We now know, however, that seizures are the result of sudden, usually brief, excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells (neurones) and that different parts of the brain can be the site of such discharges.
SEIZURES
Seizures may vary from the briefest lapses of attention or muscle jerks to severe and prolonged convulsions.
760 x 560mm Screen print
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'Stigma' - another MRI scan accompanied by the following text:
STIGMA From ‘Stigma scale of epilepsy: validation process’, Fernandez, P. et al
Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria, São Paulo June 2007
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition, frequently associated with psycho-social difficulties. Prejudice and discrimination are often worse than the seizures themselves in terms of impact on daily life of people with epilepsy. According to some studies carried out in Europe and North America the stigma of epilepsy is considered one of the most important negative influences on the quality of life of people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy is said to be a stigmatizing condition as people do not conform to social norms as a result of unpredictable seizures, and consequently society dreads dealing with someone who is having an epileptic seizure. From the patients view, the diagnosis of epilepsy triggers a change in perception, bringing on fears of being different and anxiety about the future in the community, with apprehension about getting a job or starting a family. Perception is often negative, which may impair the patients quality of life and reinforces the stigma.
760 x 560mm Screen print
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'CUMMINS: Gus' - another MRI scan accompanied by my neurologist's description of my epilepsy:
....Gus Cummins is a 41 years old, right handed, self employed artist ....
760 x 560mm Screen print
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