A collaboration with astrophysicist, Professor Derek Ward-Thompson, to produce a series of prints that explore the use of colour, shape, pattern and composition in representing the mathematics and science of star formation. Based on an ongoing dialogue between the artist and astrophysicist, the work demonstrates how artists and scientists can work together, bringing new perspectives and processes to each other’s work.
The series comprises twelve digital giclee prints, presented in pairs and based on six images from Professor Ward-Thompson’s research that show various stages of star formation. The images are formed from the different elements of star formation: magnetic fields; filaments; striations; cores; interstellar medium. For each image there is one print that is a graphic representation of these elements and another that uses exactly the same elements completely rearranged in patterns and compositions created by the artist. 

The exhibition also featured a floor piece in applied vinyl, based on the patterns and visual rhythm that had emerged during the process of creating the prints. 

Professor Derek Ward-Thompson said: “It has been tremendously exciting to work with an artist who has been enthused by my science. Scientists see beauty in numbers and patterns, but Bonnie has taken this raw beauty of the Universe and turned it into something really special. Artists and scientists normally approach matters from opposite directions. In this case that has created a wonderful collaboration that has helped each of us to see the Universe from the other's perspective. I hope that everyone who sees this exhibition will enjoy it, and perhaps view science in a different way as a result.”

During the exhibition a day-long workshop was held as part of the Lancashire Science Festival in which hundreds of visitors to the festival created their own large-scale star formation artwork on the floor of the gallery (see video)

Produced for Lancashire Science Festival and supported by In Certain Places. 

All prints are A1 giclee prints on acid-free, smooth fine art 255gsm paper. Editions of 25. £60 each + postage - to order please contact me.