Inspiration and Discovery when art meets science

Biowoman - a nine-foot model of an envisaged "bioColossus" nonchalantly straddling the area between the arts and sciences on campus was unveiled to the public for the first time at an exhibition held at the Visual Research Centre.

Biowoman is international artist and sculptor David Mach's exuberant embodiment of 21st century monumental art and life sciences.

The work, and associated collages, is Mach's response to a period as Visiting Professor of Inspiration and Discovery at the University, mixing with scientists and artists, students and staff, at a time when the University has also been evolving its campus redevelopment plan. Initial plans for a purpose-built Inspiration Studio, to be constructed by the University's architecture students, and to house future art /science initiatives will also be revealed.

David Mach's work was displayed as part of the Inspiration and Discovery Exhibition 2006, an exhibition of works that are the result of collaborations between artists and scientists.

Unexpected synergies were well demonstrated in this exhibition - where potato pathogens yield the pattern of their secrets, computer games technology brings physiological processes to life for patients, designs inspired by pollen structures unexpectedly soothe asthmatics and the exquisite relationship between form and function is explored.

The Inspiration and Discovery exhibition 2006 marks the conclusion of the Inspiration and Discovery programme, funded by the Wellcome Trust, to catalyse collaborations between artists and scientists in the wider communication of science.