M168: Tracing the Y Chromosome, is a physical metaphor for the linage that all humans hold in their genetic structure. The installation consists of large muslin circular spaces, linens and books that are both metaphorical and literal maps of the migration of mans DNA from Africa to the Americas over millions of years.

When my husband’s brother died recently I felt as though a funnel had been drilled through the center of a book, rendering it un-readable. An entire body of knowledge had been taken from us. I became fixated on the images of a circular form – a funneling hole within a hole. At the time I was reading current research on tracing genetic linage through the Y chromosome. The thought occurred to me that because our DNA links all of us to each other and we inherit physical qualities from our ancestors, perhaps none of us completely disappears. Our DNA carries a string of proteins identified by the letters TCAG. This is a historical document stretching back through history. We are the end result of over a billion years of evolutionary tinkering and our genes carry the spot welds that reveal the story.

This work, an installation of large muslin circles and books, is both a metaphorical and literal map of the migration of man from Africa to the Americas. The mapping of Y chromosomal markers is the work of geneticist Spenser Wells.

He began this work in 1990 at Stanford University under Luca Cavalli-Sforza. Through his research he discovered that the Y chromosome has genetic markers that can be traced to specific geographic locations, which the males’ ancestor traveled to and from. All men have the chromosomal marker M168, and can be traced to the Bush people of Africa.

Circular Space
The eight 10’ x 10’ muslin panels that occupy the center of the gallery create a phenomenological space. They are hung 5’ off the ground so that the viewer can enter into the center opening of the circular form. The first of the eight layers has a 7’ diameter circle and each corresponding circle is one foot smaller; the last circle is 1’ in diameter. The white on white muslin lets through a soft filtered light. The Standard genetic code is printed on the top layer of silk with the letters TACG and filters through the entire work. In the direct center is a layer of silk printed with M168, the Chromosomal marker for the Bush people. The entire piece creates an empty space for the viewers to occupy; it is a space for contemplation.

This installation was originally designed for the Hoffman Gallery at Oregon College of Art and Crafts in 2006. It traveled to the Sheehan Gallery at Whitman College in 2007.