Lusciousness - flora and the crafted image in a digital environment

The development of digital imaging within science has been as swift as it is impressive, as the images of outer space developed from data sent back from the Hubble Telescope bear witness. However, in a climate where programmes are constantly being developed to facilitate the production of visual spectacle, the ability to retain the trace of the artist's hand within the field of science imaging is a challenging task. Through my collaborations with botanical scientists at Kew over the past eight years I have been keen to move the artistic nature of depicting microscopic plant imagery to a more sophisticated level. Just as the original plant employs colour coded messages to attract an audience of insect collaborators. Through artistic intervention and interpretation I have sought to create mesmeric images and symbolic objects that carry many messages, markers with which we retain contact with the natural world.

As the University continues to maintain and develop its profile as a global leader in arts research, a series of Professorial Platform lectures was launched in 2008.

The Platforms are an opportunity for University colleagues and associates, as well as invited members of the public, to learn more about the research undertaken in the University. The Platforms enable Professors to highlight their field of interest and the University, in turn, to recognise and commemorate their successes to date.

• https://youtu.be/2B1HhPcgc5A
• http://issuu.com/ualresearch/docs/robkes...