About Communicating Science Through Art
Science and art are often seen as opposites. However, when scientists and artists work together the results can improve our understanding of both.
In this online panel discussion, artists Angela Palmer and Alec Finlay, whose artworks feature in our current Injecting Hope exhibition, will explore artistic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and consider how art can help us gain new insights into and understandings of complex science and shared experiences.
Good to know
- Please note that you only need to book one ticket (either an attendee ticket or an attendee with donation ticket) per household/email address.
- The event will be hosted on Zoom. Prior to the event you will be sent an email from Zoom which will include your personal link to join the event.
- This event will be recorded but your cameras and microphones will automatically be switched off.
- The event will include automatic captioning.
- We use a third-party provider, Zoom Video Communications Inc, to broadcast our online events. For more information on how they process your personal data, please see Zoom's privacy notice.
Our panellists
Angela Palmer
Scottish artist Angela Palmer’s sculpture 2020: The Sphere that Changed the World is a dramatically upscaled three-dimensional 'drawing' of the virus that causes COVID-19. As you walk around the sculpture, the sphere disappears and reemerges, echoing the elusive behaviour of the virus as it continues to spread around the world.
Alec Finlay
Scottish artist and poet Alec Finlay was commissioned to create Scotland’s Covid memorial. His multi-disciplinary artwork, I remember, features an installation of 40 oak tree supports in Pollok Country Park, each inspired by human poses of support, alongside a book of memories from across Scotland, published in paperback and audiobook. The audiobook is read by actor Robert Carlyle and features in our exhibition,Injecting Hope.
Sophie Goggins
Sophie Goggins is Senior Curator of Biomedical Science at National Museums Scotland. Sophie is responsible for the medical and veterinary collections including her particular specialism, contemporary biomedicine.
Hassun El-Zafar
The event will be hosted by Hassun El-Zafar, Director and CEO of Edinburgh Science. Throughout his career, Hassun has produced art and public engagement programmes that explore science, culture, community and technology.
Contact us
If you have any queries about this event please contact publicevents@nms.ac.uk.
Part of
Header image: 2020: the Sphere that Changed the World by Angela Palmer. Science Museum Group. © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Related events
- Event
Edinburgh Science Festival 2025
Daily from 5 Apr - 20 Apr, 10:00 - 17:00Join us as we host two weeks of science-fuelled exploration, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks and events. - Event
Sustainable Skies
Mon 14 - Fri 18 April 2025, 11:00 - 16:00Discover how we can manage resources to make flight more sustainable at the National Museum of Flight. - Event
Injecting Hope: Deaf Experiences of Lockdown
Wed 23 Apr, 17:30 - 19:00Join us for a film screening and discussion exploring the Scottish Deaf community’s experiences of lockdown.