infocus #16 December 2009 Hidden Worlds

Images can help break barriers, making science more accessible whether through microscope images or paintings. Artist Lizzy Burns shows us how.

DOI: 10.22443/rms.inf.1.49

The microscope reveals a hidden world we can only enter through images. This is a world that fascinates me and provides endless subjects for artwork. Through this article, I hope to share with you glimpses into finding artistic inspiration at the microscopic scale as well as my own personal journey from scientist to artist.

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Author

Lizzy Burns

Lizzie Burns has always combined a deep and active interest in science, art and education. She gained a doctorate from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, followed by a 3-year research Fellowship, before becoming a full-time artist in 2002 working for the Medical Research Council (MRC). She has created a large collection of over 45 paintings and photographs inspired by biomedical research funded by the MRC. Her work has been exhibited in the UK and in India at the invitation of the British Council. She has received a large number of commissions from universities, institutions, individuals and companies and recently a large commission from GlaxoSmithKline. She is currently working as artist-in-residence in the University College Hospital in London. She is also working on creating a collection of jewellery based on scientific themes. Her work has been described by the government’s previous Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King, as ‘an exciting, refreshing, optimistic view of medical sciences in oils. Brilliant’.