Art Meets Palaeontology on Skye

Abstract

• In the last few years I’ve been working with artists on projects that integrate palaeontological themes with visual arts. This work came about for two reasons: firstly, because I am, like many other scientists, someone who straddles the borders that traditionally delimit the arts from the sciences. I originally pursued humanities subjects, only ‘switching sides’ to begin a career as a scientist later, as a mature student. Being a visual learner, my study notes took the form of myriad outlandish drawings, and while numbers and specific details slipped frustratingly quickly from my mind (chemistry remains my arch nemesis), the stories behind scientific discoveries, and the wonder they evoked, were unforgettable. I now combine my research with creative non-fiction writing and poetry, and have even dabbled in palaeoart.