Merchandise: DNA Portrait

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Sure, you can give the usual chocolate and flowers, but nothing says ‘I love you’ more than showcasing your true love’s DNA on your bedroom, family room or living room wall. Before you get too disgusted, read on. The creative geniuses at DNA11, the founders of this not-so-traditional way to use DNA test results, have transformed simple DNA prints into portraits. (Hey, who would have thought Campbell’s soup cans could be art?)

Creating that special someone’s DNA portrait is easy. Visit the DNA11 site, pick the style, color (they offer 25 custom color combinations), size and frame of the artwork you want to order, and then buy it. A few days later, you’ll get a collection kit and instructions for how to use the simple swab kit. When you’ve finished collecting your DNA sample, send it back to the company. They even pay for postage.


The challenging part of giving this artwork as a gift may be getting the sample. You could play doctor, pull out the kit and call it an evening, or get more creative. It’s up to you. The goal is to get a sample that DNA11 can use to create your one-of-a-kind gift. Just as your doctors won’t share your test results with anyone else unless you authorize them to, all DNA11 test results are confidential. Most of us know what family cards we’ve been dealt, and we may not want them confirmed by DNA testing anyway.

DNA 11's DNA Portrait shook the art world with its novelty, scientific ingenuity and arresting beauty.

Now it's time for you to enter the world of unique, personal art. We'll send you a collection kit with everything you need to capture a sample of your DNA. (Trust us, it's painless and effortless: nothing more than swabbing the inside of your cheek.) The tough part is choosing the style, color, size and frame from an almost limitless range of possibilities. Take all the time you need. Your DNA Portrait will be as unique as you are.

James May-co-presenter on Top Gear-brought us into the minds of British and European viewers on his show called: "James May's 20th Century" on BBC. They asked us to create a special portrait for James.