Compounding

Was asked to display some work at The Cabinet again, luckily I had some work ready as well as a new work recently made.

In the work Sugus 200mg, I have crushed and moulded 100 Panadol tablets into one big pill. Each tablet contains 500 milligrams of Paracetamol (the only active ingredient) and other inactive fillers that make-up the pill form – elements such as starch, stearic acid and potassium sorbate which do not physically affect the body. What is fascinating about Panadol is that it also contains saccharin sodium, an artificial sweetener which is about 60% as sweet as table sugar. Therefore as the title suggests, there is approximately 200mg of sugar compressed and situated in this substance. So basically you can call it a dollop of candy, yet it is also one dangerous dose of painkiller which could put you in hospital straight away. A contradiction which contradicts itself. A concept which I quite like about this work.

Ada Leung, Pileus dome (2014). Vegetable gelatin capsules, UHU glue and resin. 170 x 350 x 315 mm.

Ada Leung, Sugus 200mg (2012). 100 Paracetamol pills, acrylic perspex and prescribed Panadol cardboard package. 45 x 240 x 230 mm.

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