A Glimpse of a Great Vision

The D'Arcy Thompson Art Fund Collection

Tower Foyer & Lamb Galleries, Tower Building, University of Dundee

31 May – 26 July 2014

Mon-Fri 09.30-20.30 Sat 09.30-16.30

This major exhibition features the results of a two-year project by the University of Dundee funded by the Art Fund’s RENEW scheme to build a collection of significant artwork inspired by D’Arcy Thompson, Dundee's first Professor of Biology. D’Arcy’s book On Growth and Form had a huge influence on some of the most important artists of the 20th century, and continues to act as an inspiration today. As well as work by notable figures such as Henry Moore, Victor Pasmore, William Turnbull and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, the collection includes recent work by Will Maclean, Andy Lomas and Marion Smith, and specially commissioned pieces created in direct response to the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum by Daniel Brown, Gemma Anderson, Roger Wilson and others. The exhibition features paintings, prints, sculpture, video and computer art, exploring the fascinating links between art and science.

Publication

A beautifully designed book has been produced to accompany this project. Designed by semper fidelis, it features information and images of all the artworks acquired by the University for the project, and has been produced in a limited edition of 100 copies, individually numbered.

Special Events

Artist’s Talk – Peter Randall-Page

Mon 12 May, 5.30pm

D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee

As a prelude to the exhibition, internationally renowned sculptor Peter Randall-Page will give a free lecture about his practice, followed by the official unveiling of his sculpture In the Beginning  - only the second large-scale sculpture by the artist to be permanently sited in Scotland.

Artist’s Talk – Andy Lomas: Morphogenetic Creations

Fri 30 May, 5.30pm

D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee

To launch the exhibition, artist and special effects designer Andy Lomas (whose work includes Walking with Dinosaurs, The Matrix films and Avatar) will give a talk about his work and the influence D’Arcy Thompson has had on him and other digital artists.

Artist's Talk - Ellen K Levy: Interactions

Fri 9 June, 5.30pm

D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee

Ellen K Levy is an American visual artist whose work explores biological science through mixed-media installations, forums, curatorial projects and writing. In June 2014 she will be undertaking a residency in the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum, and in this free public talk she will reflect on the profound influence of D’Arcy Thompson’s work on her and other artists.

Click here to find out about the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum.

Click here to see works from the Art Fund Collection.