Paint Lab 2024

CHILDREN AT PLAY

Artist: Dreph

Inspired by conversations with Dr Alekos Simoni from Imperial’s Target Malaria project, which uses gene drive technology to reduce the mosquito population and halt the transmission of malaria across Africa.

Dreph’s Children at Play celebrates the innocence of childhood, while also highlighting the vulnerability of young children in tropical and sub-tropical regions where malaria, transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant threat. The title pays homage to Stephen Pusey’s iconic mural in Brixton from the 1980s.

www.dreph.co.uk

PLASTIC, POLLUTION, RECYCLING

Artist: RUN

Inspired by conversations with Molly Parry from Imperial’s Department of Chemistry, who is developing organic plastics that naturally decompose after use to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans.

“A remedy/solution starts from me, from you, from all of us united.”

In this piece, the artist is representing the battle he faces as someone interested in sustainability and the environment, but still relies on plastics. He reflects on the importance of recycling, using less and reusing materials in both his daily life and creative practice.

www.instagram.com/giacomorun

HEARTFELT CUSTOMISATION

Artist: Maha Shami

Inspired by conversations with Dr Cristobal Rodero from Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute, whose accurate 3D computer models of human hearts could help doctors diagnose cardiac conditions and plan treatments.

Heartfelt Customisation reflects Cristobal’s work on tailoring heart simulators to each individual, allowing for personalised testing and problem-solving. The differently coloured people in the piece highlight our individuality and the importance of digital representations being as close to our real unique selves as possible.

www.mahashami.com

RESONANCE

Artist: Zabou

 Inspired by conversations with Dr Danielle Kurtin from Imperial’s Department of Brain Sciences. Danielle investigates how electrical deep brain stimulation can be personalised to support people who misuse drugs.

For Resonance Zabou was inspired by Danielle’s research on non-invasive deep brain stimulation in people with addiction. The central figure of her painting is Qas, a Londoner who now helps others using the experience he gained overcoming his own challenges. Nourished by his story, this realistic portrait is filled with hope for a better future.

www.zabou.me

BEAUTY SLEEP

Artist: Matt Dosa

Inspired by conversations with Dr Sara Wong from Imperial’s Department of Life Sciences. Sara investigates the brain circuitry of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and its link to mood regulation in our daily life.

Beauty Sleep pays tribute to one of the most important activities in our lives. In the piece, two sets of electrical signals in the brain are depicted: one representing a restful night’s sleep, the other a fragmented one. The piece impresses upon us the importance of healthy sleep by demonstrating just how beautiful a good night’s rest can be.

www.mattdosa.com

MICROCOSMIC ALCHEMY

Artist: Ellie Fryer

Inspired by conversations with Shirin Bamezai from Imperial’s Department of Bioengineering. Shirin creates engineered organisms, like algae that can feed on pollution, as well as used to create more sustainable chemicals, foods, and medicines.

Microcosmic Alchemy is based on Shirin’s research into subtly adapting living organisms to create new functions. It depicts a dreamlike interpretation of these microscopic worlds and how studying and adapting them can give us more sustainable ways of creating certain products.

www.elliefryerillustration.com

POSITIVE AGING LIFE

Artist: SHIO

Inspired by conversations with Dr Tricia Tay from Imperial’s Institute of Global Health Innovation, who is researching how technologies like wearable motion sensors in the home can support healthy, happy ageing.

Positive Aging Life aims to capture activities that make elderly people feel happy and healthy. SHIO has included depictions of smart devices utilised by Dr Tay’s research team in their studies. By including the letter to her grandparents, the artist wants you to consider the lives of the older people you love and invites you to send them your own letter or give them a call.

www.shiodrawing.com

THE STYX RIVER

Artist: Andrey Novikov

Inspired by conversations with Jordan Stone from Imperial’s Department of Earth Science and Engineering. Jordan researches methods to detect signs of ancient Martian biology through geochemistry based on Mars rover missions.

The Styx River is an artistic allegory for the possibility of life beyond our planet. The Mars Rover depicts current human exploration of life on Mars, while the ancient statue and futuristic spacecraft represent the potential movement of life through the universe and civilisation both past and future. The title takes inspiration from Greek mythology, referring to a river in the underworld.

www.andreynovikov.net

SOFT MARKERS

Artist: Phoebe Swan

Inspired by conversations with Panpan Xu from Imperial’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, who is researching the use of high precision sound (similar to clinical ultrasounds) to ‘see’ inside engineering structures and find defects.

In Soft Markers Phoebe layers images from the ultrasounds of her two high-risk pregnancies with visualisations of the sound waves being researched by Panpan. By making some areas well defined and others distorted, Phoebe represents the feeling of uncertainty when interpreting what ultrasounds can and can’t tell us.

www.phoebeswan.co.uk

FLOURISH IN MIND

Artist: Iain Macarthur

Inspired by conversations with Dr Kate Godfrey from Imperial’s Centre for Psychedelic Research. Kate is investigating the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of various mental health conditions.

Flourish in Mind depicts how the brain functions during psychedelic drug treatments, which can encourage growth and new connections, which may help patients during cycles of depression and addiction. The patterns at the top represent imaging kits worn by patients to record brain waves, with plants representing how psychedelics may help the mind flourish.