Designs for Life

This exhibition displays a collaborative project which aimed to stimulate debate at the confluence of science and visual culture. 

‘Art and Science, it is clear, are neither new partners nor new antagonists; they are inextricable elements of the same historical quest for an understanding of life. Differing methods, tools and practices may be classified distinctly within these disciplines but to varying degrees one has, almost symbiotically, always informed the other’.

Designs for Life explored the process of visualisation of laboratory data relating to aspects of cell and gene research. The starting point and catalyst for subsequent activity was a series of print collaborations between the artist Paul Liam Harrison (quoted above) and twelve scientists, scheduled over a period of twelve months.

Over the course of the 2025/6 academic year we will exhibit here works from four of these collaborations with scientists Geoff Gadd, Mhairi Towler, Inke Nathke and Kate Storey. 

Paul Liam Harrison was at the time of the project in 2009 a Researcher at the Visual Research Centre, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. He continues to practice as an artist and teach and research in Contemporary Arts Practice at the University of Dundee, to whom we are grateful for loaning these works.

A book was published about the Designs for Life project. We have a copy in the Art Collection office (E1). If you wish to see the book, let us know.

About Art & Science Exhibition Series

Each academic year, all of the Collection’s exhibitions, events and workshops are directly inspired by one of the University research themes.  In 2025-26 our chosen focus Art & Science explores the shared communities of practice between artists and scientific researchers: the human quest for visual understanding.

Visiting Us 

This event is open to all and will be held in Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling. The venue is accessible, with blue badge parking to the front and rear of the building. Find out more about our disability access.

If you'd like to discuss access to the galleries and how we might make your visit more accessible, please email us at Art.Collection@stir.ac.uk or phone us at 0178646 6050.

There is car and bike parking to the front and rear of Pathfoot Building, and two electric car charging points to the rear of Pathfoot. Car parking is free for your first two hours on campus, and charged (via Ringgo) after that. Visit our getting here page for more travel information.

About the University of Stirling Collections

The University of Stirling Collections are a collection of Scottish contemporary art and museum objects, housed primarily in the Pathfoot Building. Our aim is to make art and culture a part of daily life for students, staff and visitors. We do this through exhibitions, events, talks and tours that are open to all.