Art Inspired by Science: Biophysical Sciences Institute Online Exhibition

Online Exhibition - Art Inspired by Science

The online gallery is based on the 2025 Biophysical Sciences Institute’s "Art Inspired by Science: An Interactive Exhibition," which was held in the Durham University Botanic Garden in April 2025.

The Art Inspired by Science exhibition featured a collection of scientific images collected by Dr. Robert Banks during his 30-year career teaching and researching at Durham University. As a renowned researcher in comparative neuroscience, his work explores the intricate structures and processes at the junction between muscle and nerve cells.

These images inspired artistic interpretations, which drew parallels between scientific exploration and ways of visualising biological structures, to the exploration of new ways of thinking and the innovative use mediums to represent concepts which are central to artistic creativity. In the online exhibition these responses have been curated and are displayed alongside the scientific images.

Link to online gallery

The responses were curated from submissions from both esteemed professional artists, amateur adult artists and under 18-year-olds. Amongst the pieces exhibited is Crow & Tree (or Dust of Snow by Robert Frost), created by North-East based artist and academic Marianne Wilde, inspired by an image of a neuron, a Purkinje cell, and conversations with Dr Banks about shared experiences of visualisation across biology and artistic practice. Another contribution is "Curved Straight Lines" by eight-year-old Harrison Drummond, who used straight lines to create an optical illusion of curves, reflecting the complexity and beauty of scientific phenomena.

Image above: Crow & Tree (or Dust of Snow by Robert Frost), Marianne Wilde  

Image above: Curved Straight Lines, Harrison Drummond (8 years old)

For more information about the exhibition and the Biophysical Sciences Institute, visit our Art-Inspired by Science website.

Find out more

• About Biophysical Sciences Institute Research
• Biophysical Sciences Art-Science Activities
• Art Inspired by Science webpage