Neural Knitworks, the collaborative project about mind and brain health, was first on show at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery during National Science Week 2014. A giant, walk in brain sculpture made from more than 1600 knitted, crocheted and woven brain cells donated from all over Australia was created by textile artists Pat Pillai and Rita Pearce.
Over the past 10 years, Neural Knitworks has presented hundreds of knit-ins across the country at which people of all ages and abilities get together to create textile neurons and find out about neuroscience at the same time. The project’s aim is to encourage community members to learn about neuroscience from experts as they have some fun with yarn craft and reap the benefits that it can bring – in particular mindfulness, creativity, learning something new and being with others. Take up of this grass roots initiative has been sensational, with more than 12000 people visiting the Neural Knitworks webpage in the project’s first 6 months.
It’s a great way for people of all ages to learn about the billions of neurons in our bodies that save memories, send electrical signals to every muscle and receive signals from every sense. The best thing about this community art/science project is that everyone can get hands on with knitting neurons no matter their age or level of competence.
“Successful yarn craft sessions have been held with Dementia sufferers and we’ve had wonderful neurons donated from knit ins at kindergardens, age care facilities, universities and schools. No knit patterns are especially popular with those who cannot yet knit or crotchet and participants have developed ways to make other brain cell like astrocytes. A group has even begun making footy neurons to raise awareness of brain injury in sport.”
Not surprisingly, the project has been popular with neuroscientists, attracting support from luminaries like Professor Ian Hickie, Director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute. Pat and Rita were also invited to present at international brain imaging conferences.
Gut Feeling
Following on from the success of Neural Knitworks, Gut Feeling was launched in 2024.
Gut Feelings is new community art project for Pat Pillai and Rita Pearce, joined now by artist Mary Hayman. They launched the project at Hazlehurst Arts Centre on Saturday 17 August for National Science Week.
Facebook where you can join us at Neural Knitworks
Pat, Rita and Mary first collaborated 25 years ago and have worked together on several projects, most recently Neural Knitworks – craft a healthy brain, an award winning community arts-health engagement program. Other projects include Artificial Reef in Sculpture by the Sea and Heritable Acts at Hazelhurst (aka The Jacaranda Project).
Neural Knitworks founding artist Pat Pillai, textile artist Rita Pearce and artist educator Mary Hayman are the artists leading the Gut Feelings project.
Projects:
Inspiring Australia NSW is proud to support Neural Knitworks
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