COVID19

Artist / Maker Luke Jerram ((British, b. 1974))

Date2020

MediumBlown glass

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineCommissioned by University Museums with funds from the Nanovaccine Institute and the Joyce Brewer Art Acquisitions Fund. In the Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberU2020.52

Status

On view

Collections

CultureEnglish

Label TextLuke Jerram has created a coronavirus – COVID-19 – glass sculpture in tribute to the huge global scientific and medical effort to combat the pandemic. Made in glass, at 23cm in diameter, it is approximately 2 million times larger than the actual virus. Commissioned 8 weeks before the pandemic, by a university in America (Iowa State University) to reflect their current and future research, learning in health, and its focus on solving global challenges. Luke says:“This artwork is a tribute to the scientists and medical teams who are working collaboratively across the world to try to slow the spread of the virus. It is vital we attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus by working together globally, so our health services can manage this pandemic.” “Helping to communicate the form of the virus to the public, the artwork has been created as an alternative representation to the artificially coloured imagery received through the media. In fact, viruses have no colour as they are smaller than the wavelength of light.” Made through a process of scientific glassblowing, the coronavirus model is based on the latest scientific understanding and diagrams of the virus. All artist profits from this glass model are going to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) who will be assisting developing countries deal with the fallout of the corona virus epidemic. Source: https://www.lukejerram.com/

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