Where Science meets ART

In my previous chapter of life, I worked in the field of STEM education teaching the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths in secondary schools. STEM has been shaped into STEAM in educational jargon because there is firm place for “ART” in amongst these technical and scientific subjects.

The work of Cetacean Ecologist Dr Caroline Weir has illustrated how art and science has connected in combining her 3D representation of the whales and dolphins found in the seas with the scientific research she conducts in and around the Falkland Islands. In recent weeks, Caroline has been sharing with the potters of the studio, her experiences of working to track, record and conserve dolphin and whale species found off the South Atlantic coast. Two of these sculptural forms represent the actual Commerson’s dolphins and Southern Right Whales she comes into close contact with.

“Amigo” (pictured above) is a friendly Southern Right Whale who is identified by his distinctive markings formed by the pattern of barnacles on his head. Carefully recreated in clay, Caroline’s nod to her whale ‘pal’ is proudly displayed in the studio before she collects it to take with her on her return to the island.

Caroline flies back to the Falklands in February to continue her conservation work. Her studies have generated new understanding of the improving picture of the growth in numbers of the Southern Right Whale population and their recovery from years of whaling.

Caroline is pictured here swimming with her Commerson’s Dolphin friends. To find out more about Caroline’s work go to https://www.ketosecology.co.uk/research/southern-right-whales/