This is a Phantom

Stuart Whipps reflects on his current exhibition ‘This is a Phantom’ with Grampian Hospital Arts Trust at The Suttie Arts Space in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary which runs from 6 Sept – 7 Dec 2025.

Stuart Whipps, This is a Phantom, The Suttie Arts, Aberdeen 2025 (Installation view)

During my initial research, I became intrigued by the architecture and landscaping of the hospital and university campus, spaces that feel both generically institutional and uniquely shaped by the specific histories of Aberdeen’s medical and academic development. A series of photographs explores this environment, capturing its layered character and physical presence.

These images are presented in frames made from readily available materials such as plywood and aluminium—an intentional nod to the materials used in early prototype MRI scanners developed at Aberdeen’s MRI Research Centre. I was particularly struck by the improvised, often chaotic assemblages found in experimental technological settings—an aesthetic that speaks to the provisional nature of innovation.

The final series focuses on MRI phantoms: specially designed objects used to test, calibrate, and maintain the accuracy of MRI systems. Though not made of biological tissue, phantoms mimic the physical and magnetic properties of the human body, allowing for precise, repeatable imaging.

While the three strands may appear distinct, they are united by my ongoing interest in the processes and apparatus of image-making. The campus photographs were made using a large-format analogue camera, a method I chose for its emphasis on focus planes and depth—concepts echoed in MRI technology, which captures the body in ‘slices’. Across the exhibition, photography is positioned not just as a method of documentation, but as a tool for inquiry—an attempt to reveal, understand, and interpret complex systems of knowledge.

With thanks to @lauragale for patiently printing the work with me and to @mjmbespoke for the fabrication of the frames.