Synapse Festival | Artists

My work focuses on basic fundamental ideas of 'Genesis' in Biology such as the beginnings of the life cycles of mammals and plants and the species at the base of food chains (primary producers) on which all life on earth is directly and indirectly reliant.

Primary production in the ocean is carried out by phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants) to produce food, in the form of organic compounds, from carbon dioxide in the air or ocean using the energy from sunlight. This process is called photosynthesis. The organic compounds provide food the phytoplankton which are then eaten by predators - the next stage in the food chain.

Pollen grains contain plant sperm cells and are produced from the anther (male part of a flower). The grains are transferred to the pistil (female part of a flower) during pollination. I have used the scanning electron microscope to photograph the parts of the plant reproductive cycle of a flowering plant. Agriculture is almost entirely based on flowering plants and so are our natural resources - wood, paper, cotton and flax as well as many of our medicines.

My images are obtained using a compound microscope or scanning electron microscope. I particularly like how large scientific instruments can be used to photograph such tiny subject matter to produce images which are somewhat abstract taken out of context. This abstract concept is perhaps synonymous with the fact that these microscopic processes are so vitally important for life on earth.

My background in biology, oceanography and scientific photography has inspired me to photograph marine algae and diatoms (the primary producers of the oceanic food chain) and plant and amphibian reproductive organs. I am interested in the interface between the arts and sciences and like to explore these ideas through photography. I want to inspire people to think about scientific concepts and ideas when they enter an art gallery - in this way I believe scientists can reach wider audiences and a different kind of appreciation. From another angle, I am also interested in how scientific processes and imaging techniques can be used to create art.

Frankie Buckle | 07846312782 | frankiebuckle@gmail.com | frankiebuckle.com