Nanay ("Mother")

Nanay translated from Filipino is "mother" and the meaning of the stylized shape is twofold. Visually, the human mother is represented by the larger u-shape form, embracing its offspring. In cellular biology, a budding host cell gives rise to cellular byproduct. This hymen signifies the maternal influences upon the artist and the process of sexual or asexual reproduction in organisms.

Hymen made of neonatal foreskin cells and bovine collagen.
Final age: 2.5 weeks. Size: 1 ". Preserved by latex and plastic.

Silver culture plate for cell growth. Pre-treated with poly-L-lysine for cell adhesion.

Fungi Aspergillus in Emericella sexual state. Budding spores within the cell
body are released upon ending maturity of host cell: refer to cleistothecium.
(Image source: University of Manchester, UK)

Human female ovulation. Stage 3 and 4 show the host body releasing egg that is ready for fertilization and implantation in the uterus. (Image source: Cornell University)

Exterior: beechwood, green paint, gold leaf paint, shellac, shell appliques.

Interior: culture plate (inside lid), magnifying box, hymen, gold silk, LED lighting.

Click images below for detail on exhibition and tissue culture process.