Sleepyhead

Pillowcase, polyester fibre, embroidery thread and acrylic paint on board

Centred in this pillow is a painting based on imaging of the brain's thalamo-cortical networks where oscillations or activity can be measured during sleep. Radiating from this are embroidered brain waves - slow waves (below) and sleep spindles (above). Research conducted at Oxford university is showing that slow wave sleep and sleep spindles are key to recovery in stroke patients.