Lightbox in the reception area, a series of five panels on Level 1 and a single glass panel on Level 2.

In her work as Artist in Residence during 2010, Shelley James was inspired by the extraordinary changes that have taken place in eye care over the last 200 years, especially through the greater understanding of genetic factors and the role that individual genes play in interacting with our environment over several generations to affect vision. She also wanted to represent the vibrant culture and dramatic location of Bristol as a city with spectacular geology, situated on the Avon Gorge, and feeding into the Severn Estuary, which has the second biggest tidal range in the world. And hot air balloons are often seen in the skies over Bristol, taking advantage of the thermal air currents above.

Shelley has used these aspects of Bristol's culture and location as background patterns in the three glass works she created during her time as Artist in Residence here at Bristol Eye Hospital in 2010.

Creating the unique genetic patterns that Shelley combined with the environmental background designs involved working closely with the staff at the Eye Hospital. Shelley invited colleagues to provide information about 6 physical traits understood to be defined by expression of a single gene, for example, hairline shape, ear lobe attachment, eye colour, etc.

Factoring in gender and race using data from the Institute for National Statistics, Shelley translated this data through 12 generations (approx 200 years). She used specialist software to produce a dynamic pattern, mapping changes through the generations, that related to each participant's genetic make up. The images were produced in a series of workshops attended by staff, who helped to design the three resulting glass art works.

Ground Floor Reception, a glass panel with a background pattern based on the geology of the Bristol Channel, printed using a mirrored finish to reflect as much light as possible. The front surface is printed with the genetic patterns generated in the course of the first workshop.

On Level 1, there is a curved panel with several glass panes set into the back of a seating area. One side shows a series of genetic patterns created through Shelley's workshops with staff, while the other is etched with the tidal flow in the Bristol Channel to create a surface that is tactile but easy to keep clean.

On level 2, a single pane is set into the back of a low-level divider to separate the seating area from the passageway. One side shows the genetic patterns while the other is etched with the characteristic atmospheric gradients that flow over the South West of England.