Mixing Monsters, Science and Art at Inverness College UHI

29th May 2010

Art students from Inverness College UHI are taking part in the forthcoming Monster Science Festival, exhibiting artwork inspired by science in locations throughout Inverness.

Students on the Introduction to Art course at Inverness College UHI have fused science and art together, and produced a variety of art work inspired by subjects such as genetics and evolution,

The first exhibition, which is a series of sculptures created by the students to represent their feelings on genetic engineering and mutation and is entitled Monsters, Mutants and Mayhem, will launch on Thursday 3 June and will run until Monday 28 June at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.

The second exhibition, Evolving Art, will run from Tuesday 15 June to Monday 28 June at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness. The students' artwork for this collection highlights the intricate structure of microscopic cells through a collection of drawings and prints. An amalgamation of student work, in the form of a large window display, will also be exhibited from Tuesday 15 June to the Monday 28 June in the Learning Resource Centre of the college's Longman campus.

Both exhibitions are completely free and will satisfy a variety of audiences, from art lovers to scientists.

The exhibitions are part of the Inverness Monster Science Festival, an event which takes place throughout June. The festival gives students and the general public the opportunity to experience some of science's most exciting phenomena through a variety of workshops and exhibitions.

Elizabeth Barron, Curriculum Manager for Science and Sport at Inverness College UHI, said: "We were keen to engage students from other curriculum areas in the Monster Science festival and the Introduction to Art students seemed up for the challenge. We are all looking forward to the exhibitions; the students' work is fantastic and an excellent portal for raising awareness of scientific issues.

"Our students have benefitted hugely from taking part in science festivals over the years and really enjoy attending discussions led by influential scientific figures. The Monster Science Festival will give our science students the opportunity to attend a number of discussions and we look forward to the first of these events with Professor Richard Dawkins."

On Tuesday 1 June, Professor Dawkins will kick off the Monster Science Festival by delivering a lecture entitled The Wonder of Science, at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness. The acclaimed author, former Oxford University professor and renowned evolutionary biologist will discuss the principles of science, his confidence in its findings and how it enhances the awe, wonder and enjoyment of the universe around us.

Tickets for the event with Professor Dawkins are now sold out but places are still left for a number of other special guest speaker events. For further information on the Monster Science Festival and for a full list of events, please visit www.monsterfest.co.uk.