7th Annual Art Scientifique

Johannah is excited and honored to have two pieces accepted into the 7th Annual Art Scientifique, hosted by Chris Sorenson Studio and sponsored by California State University Fresno - College of Science and Mathematics. 

A little bit about the show: "Art Scientifique was created to celebrate the beauty that is often found as the result of scientific inquiry. This unique crossover show represents work not only from artists but scientists as well. The artwork displayed represents the wide and diverse nature of science from Astronomy to Zoology and everything between."

The mosaics by Johannah in this show are "Mitosis/ Cell Division" (top) and "Rod & Cones/ Photoreceptor Cells" (bottom). The show opened this week and runs through the end of March. If you happen to be near Fresno, CA this month, stop by and check it out in person!

UPDATE: “Mitosis'“ won first place in its category!

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Microscopic mosaic series

This series of mosaics inspired by microscopic images was part of a group show we organized with a few artist friends. In honor of the spring timing of the show and the natural themes and materials in much of the group's work, the title of the show is GROWTH. In addition to our work, this show features the work of furniture maker and designer Christina Boy, ceramic artist Maria Stone, muralist Emily Herr, and textile artist Emily Nicolaides.

{Click any of the images below to enlarge.}

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While brainstorming ideas for mosaics for this show, I first thought I'd return to familiar themes such as maps or aerial views. But as I sat with the idea of "growth," jotting down words that came to mind in a sketchbook, I was struck by the idea of cellular imagery. I've long thought microscopic patterns would make for interesting mosaics.

This first piece I created for this series is based on osteons, the structural element of compact bone. Compact or cortical bone forms the outer layer of most of our bones. If each of these mosaics represents an element of the larger theme of "growth," Bone Cells represents the element of "support." In order to have the strength and courage to grow, we all need to be supported.

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Next up is Mitosis, or cell division. Specifically, I based this piece on imagery of metaphase, the middle part of the process when the chromosomes are paired and aligned but not yet separated. Mitosis represents the element of "change." This is the heart of growth, that moment when we teeter on the line between our old selves and our new selves.

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The last piece in the series is based on the rods and cones, photoreceptors in our retinas that give us, respectively, night and color vision. Rods & Cones represents the element of "vision" in the greater theme of "growth." We need vision to imagine a new way forward and motivate us to grow. While I created this piece last in the series, perhaps it belongs at the beginning of the story.

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I originally thought I would leave these pieces ungrouted, but Mitosis and Rods & Cones seemed to need a little more contrast. So I grouted each of these pieces in two shades of gray, and I think it made all the difference!

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Finished series ready for their frames! Each small piece measures 6"Hx6"W. The materials are unglazed porcelain and found reclaimed vitreous glass.