Tissue Study I
About the project
"Tissue Study I" is the result of a unique "Artist + Researcher" collaboration facilitated by the Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) and the city of Phoenix's Office of Arts and Culture. The project pairs local artists with resident scientists to foster dialogue between the arts and sciences and produce new works of art inspired by groundbreaking biomedical research. This specific partnership brought together artist Mark Pomilio, known for his abstract, geometric visual language, and Dr. Taben Hale, an associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, whose research delves into the complex processes of cardiac tissue pathological remodeling. The goal of the initiative is to translate intricate scientific data and discovery into a universally accessible visual medium.
Medium: Oil on linen
Retail cost: $8,000
Behind the work
For "Tissue Study I," Mark Pomilio immersed himself in Dr. Taben Hale's laboratory environment, observing her research into the microscopic structures of heart tissue. Utilizing imagery derived directly from Hale's scientific data and microscopy, Pomilio interpreted these complex biological forms through his distinct artistic lens. The resulting artwork is a painting that bridges the gap between clinical science and visual art, utilizing abstract patterns and vibrant color palettes to represent the intricate beauty and physiological reality of living cardiac tissue. The piece serves as a visual metaphor for the dynamic, often unseen, processes of cellular change and disease progression that Dr. Hale’s research seeks to understand.
