Royal West of England Academy

Both artists and astronomers play a crucial role in transforming our observations of the universe into compelling narratives. The exhibit Cosmos: The Art of Observing the Universe at the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol, UK, explores this fascinating process.

“We recalibrate our perceptions through prolonged gazing,” says the exhibition curator, artist Ione Parkin. This exhibition, running until April 19, invites visitors to dive into their own observational journey, merging art and science in unique insights.

The image above illustrates how Janet Kerr collaborated with communities in Iceland, Greenland, the Shetland Islands, and Somerset to create stunning solar graphs that capture the sun over months of exposure.

This work by Alex Hartley intricately intertwines solar panels with photographs of Neolithic standing stones, illustrating the continuity of solar technology from ancient to contemporary times.

Parkin’s vibrant paintings swirl in red, orange, and bright white, evoking the dynamic nature of superheated plasma from the sun’s surface.

Finally, Michael Porter’s Impossible Landscape explores the realms beyond empirical knowledge, blending familiar geological textures with otherworldly aesthetics, prompting viewers to dream beyond the observable universe.