New exhibition by Leicester artists in residence visualises DNA research

A new exhibition will showcase a unique art and science project by artists in residence at our Department of Genetics and Genome Biology.

The exhibition, ‘Process: Visualising DNA Research’, will preview on Friday 10 November in the University's Charles Wilson Building and run until 11 January 2018. Entry to the exhibition is free and open to all.

Gillian McFarland and Ruth Singer have been artists in residence in the University’s Department of Genetics and Genome Biology throughout 2017, enjoying privileged access to science labs and research facilities as well as the opportunity to talk and share with scientists and researchers in a way not normally possible for artists.

This art and science project is a unique collaboration between the artists and Professor Turi King, the geneticist responsible for the identification of the remains of King Richard III.

During their residency, Leicester-based McFarland and Singer have been working with researchers in the field of genetics to create new artwork inspired by the ideas, processes and conversations with academics including archaeological, yeast and plant DNA.

As part of the project, the artists put together a collaborative artwork made up of petri dishes filled with creative and scientific material generated during their residency. Staff, students, other artists, school groups and members of the public have contributed their own petri dishes, opening up the project to a wide audience of non-scientists.

The artists have also collaborated with scientific glassblower Gayle Price also based in the University to create new work based on their research and have run workshops with local schools to share ideas and generate material for the exhibition.

The project was initiated by the artists and funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England with support from the University of Leicester.

The Process exhibition opens in the University’s Charles Wilson Building on Friday 10 November, 5-7pm until 11th January 2018 (closed 22nd December - 1st January inclusive). It then continues in Bath at 44AD Gallery, 4 Abbey St.  Bath.  BA1 1NN 22nd January - 4th February 2018.

Their work has also been selected to be a part of the Berlin Science Festival in November, 2017.