A striking sculpture by Meltham artist Darren Baker is raising cash for medical research.
The 7-foot DNA inspired sculpture has been unveiled in Trafalgar Square, as part of Cancer Research UK’s campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Francis Crick Institute, a world-leading centre of biomedical research and innovation due to open in 2016.
The sculpture Life was created by Baker based on what’s in his DNA.
He said: “Life’s intended to express humanity, via the connection of the generations. This is the circle of life, perpetuated by love and compassion.
“The reason I wanted to support this project is in memory of my grandma who died from cancer. I am proud to support in a small way a wonderful charity which does so much to fight this dreadful disease.”
Baker’s piece is one of 21 inspired double helix sculptures on show across London for the next 10 weeks before being auctioned at Christies in September. All the money raised will go towards the £100m that Cancer Research UK has pledged to raise for the Crick.
When it opens next year, the Crick will see more than 1,200 scientists coming under one roof to accelerate the rate of progress in tackling the major diseases, such as cancer, facing the global population. It is a collaboration between six of the world’s leading medical research organisations: Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Wellcome Trust, Imperial College London, King’s College London and UCL (University College London).
The other sculptures have been designed by leading sculptors, artists and designers from across the world, including Zaha Hadid, Orla Kiely, Jane Morgan and twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken.
Andrew Pisker, chairman of Cancer Research UK’s double helix art installation said: “We’re really excited to be launching our DNA inspired London art trail celebrating Francis Crick’s incredible scientific achievement and bringing it to life on the streets of London this summer”.
