DIATOM
ADVENTURES
'Diatoms, are single-celled algae with glass-like silica cell walls adorned with intricate patterns, are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, serving as vital indicators of water quality due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. Remarkably, they contribute to 20-30% of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere through photosynthesis. They convert carbon dioxide into organic carbon compounds like sugar, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. As the only organisms with opaline silica cell walls, diatoms play a role in the global carbon cycle by sequestering carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, which we and other organisms rely on for respiration, thereby emphasising their ecological significance and contribution to the planet's health'. .
source: https://diatoms.org/what-are-diatoms
Perceptual Realms: Diatoms in the space between art and science
This page showcases a selection of my ongoing exploration and collaborations in the world of diatoms. The work spans my early diatom diatom imagery at scales from through the lens of amateur microscope to highly magnified images produced Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
Bridging the boundaries of science and art, I combine methods from both disciplines. A central thread of this adventure is the transformation of microscopic forms through diverse means such as hologrpahy, 3D printing and hand carved stone sculptures in limestone or slate, to large scale public artworks. These approaches bring the beauty of diatoms into the tangible world. Each method offers a unique lens through which to perceive their intricate physiology: SEM reveals structural detail, hologram development dimensional depth, and sculptural practice renders the hidden visible and tactile. Combined these forms provide new ways of understanding and accessing the micro-world.
The work unfolds with scientific imagery from microscopy and the water collections which inform and guide the sculptural approach. It is a practice based on on observation, translation and sensory experience, where the invisible becomes not only visible but touchable, knowable and open to interpretation.
My wider portfolio encompasses environmental art installations, sculpture, photography, print, video, and collaborative projects. Residencies and research have taken me from China, Portugal, and Finland to Florida and Cuba, involving partnerships with scientists, artists, schools, printemakers, residential communities, and public art initiatives throughout the UK and beyond.
