Scientific Arts — News — Free Form Trouble

🔸🔹🔸CURRENT EXHIBITION: DRAW THOUGHT🔸🔹🔸

Runs: March 1st - 25th 2024 as part of Neurodivergence Festival 2024.

At: The University of Galway Art Gallery, The Quadrangle, University Road, Galway, Ireland

I have been having a lot of fun these last few weeks at the University of Galway Scientific Arts Lab @scientificartslab . I was delighted to contributed this piece to their current Draw Thought Exhibition: "Infinity Coloured Marbles" (2024) - Analog Collage - Anthony D Kelly. The work responds to the exhibitions theme of celebrating Neurodivergent thought.

For more from the organisers:
"Last year the University of Galway Neurodivergent Society collaborated with artist Catherine Fleming during a society social event. Catherine photographed society members’ hands while fidgeting with their favourite stim items. Stimming short for self-stimulatory behaviour, refers to repetitive often rhythmic movements, sounds or activities that individuals engage in to self-regulate or self-sooth. Stimming is considered a natural and often comforting way for individuals with neurodivergent conditions to regulate sensory input, manage stress, or express emotions. Societal norms and expectations may sometimes lead to misunderstandings or judgements about these behaviours. It is important to recognise and respect stimming as a valid and valuble aspect of neurodivergent experiences, understanding that it serves a purpose for those who engage in it. From these photographs, Catherine created an original painting “Grasp That Which is Unspoken” –Oil on Canvas- 150cm X 100cm for our Draw Thought Exhibition as part of Neurodivergence Fesitval 2024."

To see Catherine's wonderful painting you can visit her account or better yet attend her artists talk at the gallery tomorrow, Wednesday 13th at 4.45pm. All are welcome.

For more of the work of Anthony D Kelly follow the colour to: www.freeformtrouble.com

For more of Catherine Flemings work visit: https://www.instagram.com/catherineflemingart

For more from the Univeristy of Galway's Scientific Arts Lab visit: https://www.instagram.com/scientificartslab/

I am delighted to begin a new strand of research in my art practice this evening. I have been accepted onto a new University of Galway Micro - Credential course entitled “Scientific Arts: Studying How the Brain Perceives the World Through Creative Practice”. This course will combine Art Practice with Psychology two of my major interests. I am excited to meet the other students and to see where this course takes us.

Micro-Credentials are relatively new endeavours in the academic sphere. They are structured to provide people with an opportunity to pursue short-term, flexible, accredited courses so that they may have an introduction to a new field of expertise, to extend upon a previous area of learning, or to bridge two fields/professions. I enjoy this ethos as I have always found it useful to have more than one lens with which to look at the world.

Here is more about the course from the organizers:
”Scientific Arts is an interdisciplinary module in which learners will learn how the brain perceives the world through the senses and builds predictive models of our environments, how this shapes our actions and interactions with objects and other agents. Learners and illustrate their learning through creative practices, including artistic and technological media. Learners will participate in lectures, seminars, and arts and creative technology workshops.

What you'll learn:
How the brain works, the cognitive science of perception, and how this influences how we interact with the world. You will be able to research a theme within this topic and express that learning through newly acquired artistic and technological skills.Completing this project will demonstrate the ability to manage their time, orally communicate their knowledge, and exhibit their work.”

For more about this Micro-Credential click here.
For more about the Micro-Credentials available in Ireland click here.