Earlier this year I was asked to be a part of a very exciting project that was both a challenge and a delight.
It was explained to me as a project that brought art and science together in a beautiful way. Naturally, I was intrigued.
The Project.
The project was developed by Gibco (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and its aim was to explore the connection between scientists and cells and see the amazing beauty of cell research like you have never seen it before.
Cell scientists from around the world were each paired with an artist to interpret their science through artistic expression, portraying the amazing beauty of cell research and demonstrating how they love their cells.
It started with a Love letter…
How do scientists feel when they speak to their cells?
This is the question Gibco asked research scientists who are spending their careers trying to unlock the secrets and possibilities of cells. In this unique journey, we hear real love letters written by scientists about why they love their cells and their research.
Meet the lovely Dr Marietta Hartl. She works with early embryonic cell cultures in her research.
You can watch a short video where she reads her ‘love letter’ below.
The Art of Cells
I was paired with Dr Marietta Hartl for this project and it was a great fit.
We had several online meetings where I learned about her fascinating work and examined her beautiful microscopic images of cell clusters and structures. She was very patient with me and answered my many questions about her work and science as I tried to understand the wonderful microscopic world that she had introduced me to. It was fascinating to learn about how cells group, behave and change as they develop and also how cell research itself is shifting and changing.
I went into this project with no idea what I would be making or what kind of imagery I would have as inspiration. Which was really quite scary for me. But I was pleasantly surprised to see how incredibly beautiful cells could be. The microscopic images that Marietta had captured were like something from an alien world. Glowing and pulsing with life. It was amazing to think that these clusters of embryonic cells were the starting points of life.
I was so inspired by Marietta’s passion for her work and the cells themselves. From there the concept for my own artistic interpretation of her science was born. I just hope that I did Mariettas work (and the cells themselves) justice in my stitched interpretation.
Watch the ‘reveal 'video’ below to see how I interpreted Marietta’s science in my own embroidered artwork;
It was an absolute honour to be involved with this project. It certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to work in entirely new ways. It was a wonderful challenge and I am delighted with the results.
Want to learn more about this project and see what other artists did with their ‘love letters’? Click HERE to read more about the Gibco ‘love your cells/Art of Cells’ project.
Stitching the cells
A handful of cells
Mounting the final arrangement
Precious Possibilities (2021), embroidery thread and pins on paper, 63 x 63cm (framed size.
Created for the Gibco Art of Cells/Love your cells campaign based on the science of Marietta Hartl.
Precious Possibilities (2021) - angled view
Detail of ‘Precious Possibilities’
Did you like this post? Check out these others.
Take a peek at my newest artwork: Gold to Green Ginkgo Circle