Angels & mechanics : an exhibition about fertility by forty contemporary artists.

"Angels & Mechanics was an exhibition of 40 contemporary artists exploring the theme of fertility. The exhibition was staged at Watermans and riverside Studios in London in 1996 and then toured to South Hill Park, Bracknell, Tuille House, Carlisle and the Oriel Gallery in Mold. Artists included Lindsey Seers, Richard Layzell, Ron Henocq, Anita Klein, Barbara Asante and Sophie Horton. A programme of supporting events brought together artists and scientists including two conference sessions on the 'Ramifications of Assisted Conception' and 'What Makes a Family?'. Speakers included Tom Shakespeare, Prof Simon Fischel and Françoise Shenfield. The concept of the exhibition brought together artists and scientists to explore the age-old theme of fertility in relation to the rapid development of assisted conception technology. The issues raised in 1996 are still highly significant and relevant to a wide range of academic discinplines as well as to the general reader today. Artists, art historians, the scientific and medical communities, those engaged in cultural and women's studies will all find material of interest. The catalogue is a stimulus for questions of our time regarding family making, assisted conception and identity.