18 May 2010

Degree Show exhibit provides inspiration for MS sufferers

A Jewellery student, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, is set to light up this year’s Dundee Degree Show with designs that have taken inspiration from her own brain scans.

Kirsty Stevens (24), originally from Falkland, was diagnosed with MS three years ago and, after taking a year off from her studies to come to terms with her illness, is now set to graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University of Dundee, with a degree in Jewellery and Metal Design.

Her collection for the Degree Show, which opens to the public on Saturday, is based on her experiences since being diagnosed with MS. It draws inspiration from the symptoms and relapses she has encountered, and even the issues she must deal with weekly. Kirsty hopes that the exhibition will help to raise awareness of the debilitating illness.

Integrating MRI scans of her own brain in her work, she seeks to prove that even adverse circumstances can be the start of a creative and exciting phase of your life.

'I wanted to create something with a positive message for fellow MS’ers as well as raising awareness of the condition,' said Kirsty. 'My work is designed for the catwalk to create impact and beauty, and hopefully show that life doesn’t stop with an MS diagnosis.

'I work using cardboard and sheet acrylic rather than metals. I use the images of the scans and photoshop them to make them more detailed before laser cutting the top layers of the corrugated cardboard to symbolise the deterioration shown in the scans. I then add electroluminescence, which is the stuff used to make watches to glow in the dark, to provide lit designs which more accurately reflect the scans.

'When I was first diagnosed, I was too embarrassed to tell people that I had MS. It was a stressful time to be and to be told that you’ve got a condition like this, that you don’t know too much about, is terrifying.

'Everything was getting too much for me and I needed to take a year out to get my head around what was happening. Then I read an article about ‘haute couture craft with new technology’, which is how I see my work and I thought that I could do something similar using my scans.

'I don’t want to sound like I’m on a crusade, but I now want to raise awareness of MS, what it is and what a diagnosis means for people. A lot of people don’t really understand what MS is. Often they get confused with ME.'

'Hopefully, if anyone who has MS who sees my work might take some comfort from it and see their condition in a more positive way by realising it doesn’t need to be the end of your dreams and ambitions. At first you are confused and frightened and think, 'my life is over. Why is this happening to me?' That’s only natural.

'The condition affects everyone differently. I’ve been quite lucky so far and sometimes I feel like I don’t have this thing that the doctors tell me I have, but here are the MRI scans to prove it!'

The running theme of her work is Natural VS Toxic, as Multiple Sclerosis is an organic condition that Kirsty is forced to now suppress through using highly toxic medication.

In recognition of her work to raise awareness of the condition, Kirsty has received sponsorship from the MS Society and hopes to help fellow sufferers whilst creating beautiful designs.

After graduating, Kirsty hopes to move to London and find an internship with a stylist or fashion/jewellery designer.

Notes to editors:

Dundee Degree Show
22nd - 30th May 2010 (Preview May 21st)
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee
13 Perth Road
Dundee DD1 4HT
T 01382 385330
E exhibitions@dundee.ac.uk
www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/degreeshow/

Exhibition open:
Saturday, May 22nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 23rd (10am-4pm)
Monday, May 24th (10am-8pm)
Tuesday, May 25th (10am-8pm)
Wednesday, May 26th (10am-8pm)
Thursday, May 27th (10am-8pm)
Friday, May 28th (10am-8pm)
Saturday, May 29nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 30th (10am-4pm)

Graduate work on display:
Animation
Art, Philosophy & Contemporary Practices
Fine Art
Graphic Design
Illustration
Interior Environmental Design
Interactive Media Design
Jewellery & Metal Design
Product Design
Textile Design
Time Based Art & Digital Film

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277