The inspiration:
Primitive Streak was essentially a gift from my sister Kate, at a time when I needed new direction. On a yellow ‘post-it note’ marked with a “?” she sent me a leaflet from the Wellcome Trust announcing a new scheme ‘Sci/Art’ – an initiative to bring artists and scientists together.

What it is:
Kate is a developmental biologist and she showed me her world. We had an idea to design a collection that communicated its wonder to others. Primitive Streak became a work that elucidated the first 1,000 hours of human life in textiles and dress. 27 pieces take the viewer on a journey from fertilisation to the recognisable human form.

What it is doing now:
A double award-winning project, Primitive Streak has toured in 7 countries since 1997, been seen by 3 million people and has been life changing. In collaboration with Creative Partnerships (an initiative of the Arts Council England) it has been used as the blueprint for a ’Creative Lab’, a concept which is now being replicated across the UK. It provides unique curricular inspiration for new teaching and learning. A Lab was created in Derby with East Midlands Creative Partnerships in spring this year and current plans include a LAB in Northern Ireland. Please view news to find out more. It is our hope that the work will find a permanent home in 2008.

 

   
 
Closing neural tube dress
Photograph by Justine
Model: Korinna at Models 1
“The effect of Primitive Streak on children must be the equivalent of the bible being translated into English years ago (it demystifies what should never have been mystical)”
Teacher visiting Primitive Streak