Rich visual parallels between Indigenous artworks and microscopic natural structures hidden in the world around us reveal unexpected and intriguing similarities that can deepen our respect

for our country and its stories. A new touring exhibition in Sydney, bringing microscopy and Indigenous art together, explores these images, which pass on knowledge and shape our

understanding of the world. Their resonances derive from the similar perspectives of the imagery, and symmetries hidden in nature. The microscopic images (known as micrographs) were captured

on transmission electron microscopes, which create enlarged projections of a thin, sample slice and reveal a flat, top-down image, similar to many of the artworks. Another similarity comes

------------------------- For researchers, microscopic images reveal the tiniest structural details of the natural world. With experience and the knowledge passed down from previous

generations, scientists read these stories and expand our understanding as they strive to answer the question “how and what makes the world function as it does?” (Or, as Goethe wrote in

Faust, “how and what holds the world together at its innermost core”.) Twenty one Indigenous artists from around Australia have created new works for the exhibition that demonstrate a

connection between their stories and microscopic images of related parts of our country. These artworks are paired with images of things, such as molecules or crystals, taken by scientists

using microscopes. Below is a selection of images. BIRNOO COUNTRY (ARTIST GORDON BARNEY) AND WHITE OCHRE The overlapping plates of the ochre mineral are reminiscent of the rows of hills in

Gordon’s country. WITCHETTY GRUB DREAMING (ARTIST JENNIFER NAPALJARRI LEWIS) AND MOTH SPERM Jennifer’s painting shows women collecting witchetty grubs. These can be eaten at all stages of

their life cycles. Without the structures shown in the micrograph, sperm wouldn’t function and moths’ life cycle would be broken. BRUSH-TAIL POSSUM DREAMING (ARTIST JUDITH NUNGARRAYI MARTIN)

AND RIBOSOMES The dark dots in the micrograph are ribosomes. These tiny molecular machines are responsible for producing the vast array of different proteins that make up the bodies of all

living things, including possums and people. SANDHILLS DREAMING (ARTIST VANESSA NAMPIJINPA BROWN) AND ATOMS IN QUARTZ The crystal structure revealed in the micrograph is fundamental to the

sand making up the sandhills that Vanessa paints in her story. GATHERING BUSH TUCKER (ARTIST KERRY MADAWYN MCCARTHY) AND GUM LEAF CELLS The cells in this gum leaf are reminiscent of the

rocks and coastal landscape of Kerry’s painting. Her people move through the landscape to collect food just as carbon dioxide moves through the leaf spaces to cells, where it is converted to

food for the plant. DRY RIVER BED (ARTIST KURUN WARUN) AND BLOOD FLOW IN A FISH EYE The red areas of Kurun’s painting indicate the life blood that still survives in the dry river bed. The

parallel to the red blood cells in the fish eye are obvious. SKIN (ARTIST JOSHUA BONSON) AND COLLAGEN FIBRILS Joshua paints crocodile skin as a celebration of his totem, the saltwater

crocodile. He also sees his paintings as a representation of landscape. Collagen is the fundamental protein found in skin and gives it its strength and toughness. This is a beautiful

connection at both the physical and philosophical levels. WATER DREAMING (ARTIST LOLA BROWN) AND RIVER RED GUM AND WATER TRANSPORT VESSEL The story in Lola’s Water Dreaming painting involves

two river red gum trees. River red gums line inland water courses and are essential to Aboriginal life. The vessels that transport water up through the plants have thickened rings for

support. This later becomes the wood of the trees. ------------------------- _Stories and Structures – New Connections has been conceived and curated by Dr Jenny Whiting from Microscopy

Australia. It is currently on display at the University of Wollongong._