Phase 1 Compression: Tumour Baby is a photomedia series that documents the life and eventual death of the artist’s fibroid cells, which proved unsuitable for reprogramming into an immortalised cell line as pat of the Posthuman Genetic Legacies Project. This failure led to the later transformation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in Phase 2.

The series incorporates cosmic imagery within cell culture flasks, creating visual connections between the cellular life cycle and broader cosmic processes. By placing these cells within a celestial context, the work suggests that, like all matter, cellular material eventually returns to the universe, becoming building blocks for future organisms and elements. Each print subtly includes impressions of essential molecules—such as oxygen and hydrogen—the cosmic building blocks of life, thus reinforcing the interconnectedness of all matter. Through these elements, Phase 1 Compression: Tumour Baby becomes a reflection on cycles of life and death, emphasising the idea that even as individual cells die, they contribute to the greater fabric of the universe.

This work was developed with A/Prof. Brad Sutherland and Dr Jo-Maree Courtney from the UTAS School of Medicine and formed part of the collaborative Transformation Studies exhibition at Moonah Art Centre in 2023.