Water Universe by Julie Askew
“Water is the driving force of all nature” Leonardo da Vinci
Over the years Nature in Art has presented a good number of exhibitions that have explored subjects that bring art and science together. From spectacular photographs from the Hubble telescope to photo- micrographs and images inspired by those taken using a synchrotron, such displays have given a whole new perspective on nature and helped us focus not just on ‘nature in art’ but ‘art in nature’. This exhibition is such a display, drawing together a collection of works resulting from a fascinating project being undertaken by artist Julie Askew, which are being displayed with a number of other items, mostly from Nature in Art’s collection that resonate with the theme.
Julie Askew has a long association with Nature in Art as both an artist in residence and exhibitor, principally of her wildlife art. The new works in this show are the first results of her most recent passion, researching aspects of water.
There are three main states of water – solid (ice), liquid and gas (vapour). We are familiar with them all, from ice in a drink to tap water and steam from a kettle. We understand how water in various forms can soothe by touch, sight and sound and how that can contrast with the devastation of flooding or the effects of drought. In our ever changing world, these extremes are becoming more evident and impactful.
In this latest project Julie has been considering whether we really know water at all? Through these new works she aims to take the viewer into new worlds within water and to discover beauty within.
Water Universe is an interdisciplinary science and art research project, examining and interpreting water patterning and its potential application in the environmental and physical sciences, focusing on Glaciology and Polar Science. Julie is working with the British Antarctic Survey, Bath Spa University and is proudly sponsored by ZEISS.
Every watery liquid when dried on a surface leaves a residue. Sometimes this is visible like, as Julie says ‘a coffee stain left on Auntie’s favourite antique table!’ When viewed at low magnification, 20x – 200x, beautiful patterning can be seen within the dried liquid. This phenomena was first observed by the German artist Ruth Kübler who used the patterns in her artwork before taking them to Stuttgart University where Prof. Bernd Kröplin began the first scientific research on the patterns. He discovered that everything contacting with pure water results in a different unique pattern.
Julie decided to expand on this research and use a source of ‘pure’ water that already contains different substances – ice cores, cylinders of ice drilled from ice sheets and glaciers. Like tree rings, ice cores can be very revealing as every year a new layer is created which holds climatic and environmental event records within, in the form of trace metals, volcanic ash, and CO2. (For climate scientists ice cores are a vital source of information). Would water drops from different layers of ice cores over 120,000 years old give a visual indication of the cores content and of its history?
In the build up to this research, Julie used labs at Bath Spa University to test different water drops from ponds, streams and fresh springs, and to observe their resulting intricate patterns. She needed to show that the patterns in water drops could identify nitrate and phosphorus in water. Being science, the drops had to be quantitatively analysed and being an artist, Julie also photographed and scientifically illustrated the drops. The results were positive.
In this first Water Universe exhibition Julie reveals the exciting patterns of water, with dramatic photography and previously unseen 3D painted artworks of the most special drops. Julie says ‘be prepared for the unexpected, a show of contrasts and light’ and goes on to say ‘what about the ice cores and drops from up to 120,000 years? – you will have to come to the exhibition and be the first to see the results!’
Julie will be artist in residence November 1st – 13th. In addition, she will be giving an illustrated talk as part of our Wallsworth Evening series on Thursday November 10th.
At the same time, a selection of other items, primarily from Nature in Art’s collection, that relate to water will also be on display during this exhibition.