Stephanie Valentin, pollinate, 2002
These images are part of a series titled pollinate. Stephanie Valentin created them in 2002 at the Electron Microscope Unit, University of New South Wales. These plant pollen images explore the complex intricacy and diversity of nature at the microscopic level. As an artist Stephanie is interested in the way new biotechnologies touch (imprint) upon the natural landscape.
The images were produced using a Focused Ion Beam Microscope and an advanced technique of microscopic ՙetching՚, evoking the human presence in microscopic matter. These markings and words are evocative of scientific processes and economic motivations underlying the realm of plant biotechnology. At the same time, they intimate that on a more personal level we might also be entwined in this changing landscape through our own desires and appetites.
The artist thanks and acknowledges Associate Professor Paul Munroe and Katie Levick of the Electron Microscope Unit at the University of New South Wales.