Solar Maximum Jan 25th- March 8th 2025

Solar Maximum explores the impact of space weather on Earth through my collaboration with Simon Tang (aka ‘The Stupid Astronomer’) and other scientific experts. My interest began during the COVID lockdown when a mild sunburn led me to research solar activity—sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections—and how these phenomena affect life on Earth. I became especially intrigued by Solar Cycle 25, which started in December 2019 and is expected to peak around July 2025.

The exhibition features images from Simon Tang, captured using NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The SDO’s Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) observes the sun across multiple wavelengths, providing high-resolution images every ten seconds that reveal the sun’s dynamic processes. Alongside Simon's imagery, I created 3D pen sculptures made from biodegradable PLA filament, interpreting the AIA data to explore the sun's internal mechanisms and their impact on Earth, particularly during periods of Solar Maximum.

I also collaborated with W. Dean Pesnell, Project Scientist at the SDO, who helped deepen my understanding of solar observation and its potential hazards. The exhibition includes an activity book illustrated by local tattoo artists James Bannan and Mikey Morgan, designed to engage visitors of all ages. QR codes throughout the exhibit provide access to real-time solar images, connecting visitors to ongoing solar activity.

Solar Maximum is a fusion of art and science, inviting audiences to reflect on the sun’s power and its effects on Earth. Through this exhibition, I’ve transformed a simple curiosity about sunburn into exploring space weather’s profound influence on our planet.

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