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Behind the Curtain

Type
Embroidered textile artwork
Year
2024 - 2025

Inspiration and composition

Behind the Curtain â€¯is a tactile exploration of the brain’s hidden and layered nature, created through embroidery and beading on translucent organza fabric. The artwork features two layers: the first embroidered with a brain and the second acting as a semi-obscuring 'curtain'. Threads extend from the brain layer through the curtain, symbolizing the brain’s influence on physical behaviour and the hidden processes that define human experience. The interactive design encourages viewers to move around the piece, uncovering new angles and perspectives, mirroring the scientific process of discovery. 

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The choice of materials reflects both the fragility and resilience of the brain. Limmer-Wood’s use of organza posed unique challenges, as the delicate fabric required precision to avoid tearing. The red threads, chosen for their visceral, evocative quality, highlight the physicality of the brain while inviting contemplation of its intangible, almost cosmic influence on thought and behaviour. 

Connection to 'Mysteries in Science'

This artwork embodies the duality of the brain as both a tangible organ and an enigma shaping our existence. Its layered design symbolizes how neuroscience often relies on indirect methods to probe the brain’s hidden depths, much like the piece requires viewers to explore it from multiple perspectives to fully appreciate its intricacies. 

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Limmer-Wood hopes to demystify neuroscience by presenting it in a visually engaging, approachable way. By bridging the gap between art and science, Behind the Curtain  invites the audience to reflect on the unseen processes that govern our actions, thoughts, and emotions, underscoring the shared wonder that drives both scientific inquiry and artistic creation. 

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About Elena Limmer-Wood

The Artist

Aotearoa (New Zealand)

Elena Limmer-Wood is a master’s student in Neuroscience and Cognition at the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University. Raised in a family with a scientific background, she found art to be a great creative outlet during busy periods of study. Self-taught and inspired by her love for science and the brain, Limmer-Wood often explores the intersection of art and neuroscience. Her work reflects her fascination with the brain’s complexity and her desire to make its mysteries accessible to a broader audience. Behind the Curtain is her first formally submitted art piece, though she has previously worked on personal projects, often featuring intricate embroidery. 

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