Ex Voto

Ex Voto is a collection of personal experiences of infectious diseases and antibiotic cures made by museum visitors, patients, medics and researchers in collaboration with the artist during participatory workshop sessions.
The piece references the notion of the votive offering in religious settings which symbolises a wish or gives thanks for its fulfilment.

These votives are hung on ribbons, stained or dyed with sterilised bacteria, including various species of gut microbiota, Staphylococcus aureus and genetically modified antibiotic-producing Streptomyces, as well as antimicrobial natural dyes such as madder root, and chemical dyes used in laboratory research.