Artwork – “Circadian Growth”

“Circadian Growth”

May Palace

Digital Painting

This piece, based on the study of the period gene and the tobacco hornworm, was influenced by the concepts of the circadian rhythm and the lifecycle of these creatures.

Research on the hornworms involves a process of rearing the worms from young larvae in a greenhouse. I wanted to connect aspects of the research by bringing them into this greenhouse environment. To achieve this, I tied in an archway with textbook-like depictions of qPCR. I wanted the piece to feel dynamic and colorful, and also to bring in themes of biology, night/day, and the lifecycle of these hornworms.

I was drawn to this project because of its ecological theme, and the intriguing connection between circadian rhythms and a creature’s eating habits. Moths and caterpillars have always been interesting to me as well, so this project gave me the opportunity to combine many of my interests.

Mentored by: Jeremy Bomberg