A Shrine for Algernon features a detailed polymer clay replica of a fetal calf (Algernon), originally obtained from an abattoir in Queensland. This piece engages critically with the use of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)—a protein-rich serum derived from the blood of fetal calves—that is integral to cell and tissue culture research. Although the practice of using FBS has faced ethical scrutiny, it is noteworthy that these fetal calves are by-products of the meat industry, with their blood harvested for scientific use while the rest of their bodies are typically discarded.

Rather than directly criticising the meat industry or the use of FBS, A Shrine for Algernon aims to illuminate the complex and often overlooked reality that there are victims at every level of consumption. It underscores that progress, whether in scientific, industrial, or personal contexts, carries dual implications, marked by both benefit and sacrifice. The sculpture serves as a symbolic memorial, drawing attention to the unseen costs behind the pursuit of progress.

By presenting the fetal calf as a shrine-like artifact, the work evokes a sense of reverence and contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on the ethical complexities and hidden narratives within systems of production and research. It underscores that within every step forward lies a deeper story of interconnectedness, where life, death, utility, and loss coexist.

The work forms part of The Absence of Alice and served as a foundation for The Immortalisation of Kira and Rama.