Microbes as Art: TRU biology images inspire exhibition at the World of Science in Vancouver

KAMLOOPS – A collection of art inspired by a Thompson Rivers University professor’s microbe scans will be featured at Telus World of Science in Vancouver.

The exhibit entitled "Microbes Art Us", is a version of the 2014 Kamloops Art Gallery and TRU Art Gallery shows “Cave Microorganisms and Drug Discovery: A Collaboration Between TRU Microbiology Researchers and Artists.”

Dr. Naowarat Cheeptham, a microbiology professor at the university, was inspired by several electron micrograph images she collected during the course of her drug research. A micrograph is a microscope capable of capturing images of things as small as grains of pollen, or in this case, microbes.

“I guess I have so many ideas. When I looked at the micro bacteria I thought some of the images were really beautiful,” she says.

Dr. Cheeptham thinks bacteria has gotten a bad rap. The cave microbes she has been studying could potentially treat disease. She believes the art exhibition will create excitement about the work she and her colleagues are doing; both in the exploration of cave microorganisms and the possibility to develop new drugs.

This show features works of art by TRU faculty, students, alumni and other participating artists all inspired by Dr. Cheeptham’s images of cave microorganisms. 

The exhibition is on display at the World of Science in Vancouver until January 10, 2016.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.