Briony Marshall British, b. 1974

Briony Marshall was awarded Pangolin London’s prestigious sculpture residency in 2012 and her first UK solo show, Life Forming, was held at the gallery in 2013. By perfect happenstance the exhibition coincided with the 60th anniversary of the discovery of DNA, and Marshall’s DNA: Helix of Life is emblematic of the great achievements of modern science. Standing at over two metres tall this DNA molecule is constructed from over 600 human figures joined at the hands and feet each representing a different atom in the DNA. Made first in wax and then cast in bronze, the work demonstrates ambitious talent paired with a rather humbled view of society; that we must support each other as individuals to operate as a whole. The integrity of the structure depends on each figure playing its part and is a powerful representation of the interconnectedness of life.