At first glance, this quilt might seem like any other. But it has been colored using the deadly and mysterious MRSA virus. The quilt was made by bio-artist Anna Dumitriu, who uses deadly bacteria and antibiotics to color textiles in an attempt to challenge the relationship between humans and bacteria.
As part of her artist’s residency on the UK Clinical Research Consortium Project, “Modernising Medical Microbiology” at the University of Oxford, Dumitriu has been developing her MRSA Quilt and Infective Textiles projects. She works with microbiologists to create works that communicate the impact of new technologies in the field. Like many quilts, her MRSA Quilt is meant as a storytelling endeavor. The quilt squares are made using natural and clinical antibiotics on Chromogenic (pigment-generating) agar in which the fabric has been embedded and inoculating the squares with bacteria, creating patterns that reflect the interaction between bacteria and antibiotics. The quilts are embroidered with thread dyed with saffron as well as with the antibiotic Vancomycin.
Watch the video below to see the artist describe some of her textile projects in her own words:
Read the full, original story here: Bio-artist colors textiles with deadly bacteria and antibiotics
Additional Resources:
- “Is creative ability determined by our DNA?” Genetic Literacy Project
- “Artist demonstrates genetic similarities in composite portraits,” Phoblographer
- “Creepy or cool? Portraits derived from DNA in hair and gum found in public places,” Smithsonian
