In June 2024 we were proud to host the third exhibition from the Artist in Residence programme. This followed on from the 2021 Virtual Exhibition from the 2020-21 collective and the first in-person exhibition Lore + (Dis)order which took place in September 2022 and celebrated 8 collaborations between scientists and artists working with the SMQB on projects between 2020/21 and 2021/22.
Encoded Realities took place at Centrala, Digbeth in June 2024. The title Encoded Realities alluded to the hidden or embedded principles governing various aspects of life. Through a lens bridging art, science and lived experience, this exhibition creatively explored and playfully decoded some of the hidden patterns and complexities relevant to conditions including macular degeneration, epilepsy, stroke, leprosy, autism, liver cancer, psychosis and antimicrobial resistance. The exhibition bought together two rounds of the Artist in Residence programme (2022-2024) and showcased the work of 12 artists and 49 scientists, including projects supported through the EPSRC/MRC-funded N-CODE Network+.
To hear an artist talk about their work at exhibition, please click below:
It bought the projects to life with artworks ranging from film, photography and paintings through to installations, sculpture and even a video game, with each piece connected to a different research project.
Over the course of three weeks, the gallery saw over 800 visitors stop by and we received lots of positive feedback!
“An eye opening world between science and art”
“Amazing! I wish there was more”
Encoded Realities was curated and project managed by Dr Caroline Gillett, Assistant Professor in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement.
Photo credits, Hayley Salter
Video credit, Creative Media