Art in Science MA

Art in Science MA Bringing artists & scientists together at Liverpool School of Art & Creative Industries

In the last two weeks of the semester we have been thinking more about biological art and bioart, and more specifically,...
16/12/2025

In the last two weeks of the semester we have been thinking more about biological art and bioart, and more specifically, the trouble with bioart. led a session that got us thinking about the lack of access to laboratories that artists have to be able to make living microbiological bioart. However, microbiologists are also limited in what microorganisms it is possible to grow, safely, for artworks presented in exhibitions. Our session explored the limitations within microbiology itself, including risks associated with different categories of microorganisms, and Clare suggests that the focus on the use of ‘living organisms’ in bioartworks reduces the possibilities for artists to explore and experiment. During the session we created some ‘pseudobugs’ - convincing fake bacterial colonies on petri dishes using paints and craft materials while discussing these issues.

In the last two weeks of the semester we have been thinking more about biological art and bioart, and it was a pleasure ...
15/12/2025

In the last two weeks of the semester we have been thinking more about biological art and bioart, and it was a pleasure to welcome back graduate to speak about bioart and making music from microbiology. Clare’s ‘Pseudo-sonication’ is comprised of four key projects: ‘Labophone’ and Lab Sounds, Microbiological Mapping on the Tenori-On, Genetic-sonification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the impractical lab coat ‘Labolero’, which was recently featured at British Science Festival in Liverpool. Each project interacts with each other in a ‘rhizobial’ manner due to the interconnected nature of the work.

One of the objectives of the project was to develop music/sound methodologies which could be used to produce music at the interface of art and microbiology; considering if there are unexplored research areas in relation to microbiological sound.

Check out Clare’s SoundCloud for an EP of tracks representing the techniques used, and discover more about the project on their website.

In the last two weeks of the semester we have been thinking more about biological art and bioart, and Medical Artist and...
11/12/2025

In the last two weeks of the semester we have been thinking more about biological art and bioart, and Medical Artist and PhD researcher introduced us to their research simulating human tissues using bioplastics. Anna showing us how to make our own! We even had chance to pour our recipes into vacuum formed moulds. Endless possibilities for organic materials for sculptures, as fabrics, and as simulators of bodily tissues.

We’re currently thinking about biological art vs bioart: their differences and similarities, and how their interrelated ...
10/12/2025

We’re currently thinking about biological art vs bioart: their differences and similarities, and how their interrelated practices help us to understand relationships between the human and non-human.

Recently, Samantha Cooper spoke to us about her practice-based research “Tackling Plant Blindness Through Art-Science Public Engagement” about medicinal plants often overlooked and under threat, which are underrepresented in the public domain, and considers how public engagement toolkits can engage increase public understanding of their importance: the medicinal uses and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity loss.

We took part in Samantha’s ‘Medicinal and Mindful: Liverpool’s Botanical History’ workshop that was recently featured at British Science Festival in Liverpool, which saw us travel in time to the 1800s to explore historic plant illustrations and make our own Victorian medicinal powders. We had great fun exploring just how tricky it was to get accurate dosage, and learning about the incredible confectionery-like precision required to make medicine in that era, and that over half of current pharmaceuticals are plant derived today with more regulated dosage!

We also got to spend time with Samantha’s collaborator, plant physiologist Dr Rachael Symonds, who talked about the impact that plant blindness has on plant wildlife that are integral to environment stability, pharmaceutical production and crop security. We also got to check out the LJMU research greenhouse!

Inspired by the artworks, ‘Jewels of the Sea’ by Maximilian Seeger, ‘Microcosmos’ by Luke Jerram, and ‘Diatom Sensing’ b...
04/12/2025

Inspired by the artworks, ‘Jewels of the Sea’ by Maximilian Seeger, ‘Microcosmos’ by Luke Jerram, and ‘Diatom Sensing’ by Jay Hampton, this week we sculpted a range of 3D modelled diatoms based on scanning electron microscope images that we obtained a few weeks prior. We then prepared these models for 3D print to create our very own distinct jewels of the sea.

This workshop allowed us to bring together our experiences visualising the unseen through microscopy and further consider morphogenesis as a recurring process in nature; think how the surface patterns of diatoms, corals, colorectal polyps and pufferfish skin are similar!

Image 2 credit: Diatom Sensing [altered SEM image] by

Thanks to the digital imaging team and the botany & entomology curators at Liverpool’s World Museum for introducing us ...
04/12/2025

Thanks to the digital imaging team and the botany & entomology curators at Liverpool’s World Museum for introducing us to a range of digital imaging technologies and standardised photography techniques for people, plants, insects and artefacts this semester! 📸🪲🤳🧍🏻‍♀️📷🧫🎥💀

This week we were thinking further about how and why objectivity emerged as a new way of studying nature, and the use of...
28/11/2025

This week we were thinking further about how and why objectivity emerged as a new way of studying nature, and the use of scientific apparatus and techniques to capture items or phenomena that are not often visible by our eyes.

Using ferrofluids to explore Turing patterns, reaction diffusions and magnetic fields, while discussing D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson’s ‘On Growth and Form’ including morphogenesis with mathematician and artist, Gary Lester, we created tiny artworks in petri dishes and photographed them using a DSLR camera with a macro-lens.

Further exploring the themes of objectivity and subjectivity in art and science, it was great to joined by graduate and...
28/11/2025

Further exploring the themes of objectivity and subjectivity in art and science, it was great to joined by graduate and EdDoc student, Gary Lester, last week to talk about how he explores the consilience of maths and art. His practice-led research uses creative methods to aid in the understanding of mathematical concepts.

The use of abstract mathematical notation has enabled mathematics to progress into previously unthought of conceptual areas. Without the application of mathematical notation, the evolution of pure mathematics would have been stunted. Throughout history branches in pure mathematics have at first seemed unable to be applied to the real world. Only for technology or science to catch up and find a use for them. Gary’s praxis does not diminish or belittle the importance of mathematical notation, but investigates the efficacy of using concrete forms such as sculptures in the advancement of understanding mathematical concepts.

The magnetic moving sculpture ‘Tria Corpora Motu’ illustrates the Three Body Problem. The sculpture produces random, temporary visualisations on photochromic glass that will never been seen again.

The sculpture of a head, ‘Janus’, is created based on the study of fractal dimensions calculation methods; Hausdorff measure and Minkowski-Bouligand measure.

Gary’s meta-analysis of using concrete forms to promote mathematical learning in tertiary education is the focus of his PhD studies.

We really enjoyed our recent lecture by Prof Andy Newsam from LJMU’s Astrophysics Research Institute that got us to thin...
28/11/2025

We really enjoyed our recent lecture by Prof Andy Newsam from LJMU’s Astrophysics Research Institute that got us to think big, literally! Andy spoke with us about astronomy visualisation and his art-science engagement projects that include co-developing dark matter gardens and constructing a sound-based understanding of the universe better know as the soniverse!

Andy is Professor of Astronomy Education and Engagement and the author of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Universe: And Our Place Within It (2021). Since 1998, he has been at the forefront of involving the public—especially schoolchildren—in astronomy by enabling them to use professional telescopes in The Schools’ Observatory. These include LJMU’s Liverpool Telescope in the Canary Islands, the world’s largest fully robotic telescope.

Andy’s research background is in exploding stars, and he’s taken a pioneering role is shaping ARI’s public engagement work, an outstanding programme that empowers young people to do real science, covering the development of The Schools’ Observatory (TSO), the principles of care and collaboration underpinning this work, and its growing international legacy.

See more of the Astrophysics Research Institute’s flagship outreach programme, the Schools Observatory, here https://www.schoolsobservatory.org/gallery-all

Image credits: Daniel López/TSO/Les Brand/LT/LJMU/Howard Miller

As we continue to explore how art and science visualise the unseen, this week , a Senior Lecturer in LJMU’s School of Ph...
19/11/2025

As we continue to explore how art and science visualise the unseen, this week , a Senior Lecturer in LJMU’s School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, joined us to speak about his research that centres on the roles that mitochondria play in aspects of eukaryotic life, ranging from their origin, metabolism, biogenesis and role they play in cell death pathways.

He has recently collaborated with artist, , who has created ceramic artworks to raise awareness of rare mitochondrial disease and the impact on those living with the diseases. The work, ‘The Flame of Life’ was exhibited at Cambridge Rare Disease Network’s RARE Festival in November 2024.

Read more about the project in the Autumn 4 issue of RARE Revolution Magazine https://t.co/phc32MFDRX (Gavin and Charlotte’s article begins on page 34).

We’ve been thinking more about how we visualise the unseen and the methods and tools that allow us to see microscopic wo...
19/11/2025

We’ve been thinking more about how we visualise the unseen and the methods and tools that allow us to see microscopic worlds

In the microscopy labs at LJMU we looked closely at and a fly using an SEM . The SEM reveals the hidden textures of pollen, diatoms, and insects, reminding us that both science and art work can begin by looking closer; inviting us to see what our eyes alone can’t and helping us imagine everything in between.

We’ve been thinking more about how we visualise the unseen and the methods and tools that allow us to see microscopic wo...
19/11/2025

We’ve been thinking more about how we visualise the unseen and the methods and tools that allow us to see microscopic worlds. Last week we spent time with to deep dive into the world of using .

Diatoms are microscopic, unicellular algae with a cell wall made of silicon dioxide, which is why they are sometimes called “glass houses”. They are golden in color and come in two main shapes: cigar or pen-shaped (pennate) and disk or drum-shaped (centric).

Scientists estimate there could be as many as 2 million species of diatoms — new species are discovered every year. Diatoms can be solitary or live in colonies that might be shaped like long chains, stars or zigzags.

Kirstie’s research focuses on diatoms as ‘silent witnesses’ or trace indicators for forensic applications, including linking individuals to geographic locations and scenes of crime.

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