Salthouse Gallery Exhibition

I have always said that geology is the art of the sciences. What I mean is that, especially from a field geologist’s perspective, the way we look at nature requires a certain level of fluidity. Not to mention one of our most important ways or recording our observations is making field sketches.

This is also reciprocated. The geology beneath our feet controls the landscape around us, including its shape, colour, the vegetation that grows, and how humans have interacted with it. This impacts how artists draw, paint, perform, write etc.

Based on this, it is unsurprising that many geologists turn to art, or artists become interested in geology.

The former is most certainly the case for Mary Scott. Without knowing she has a PhD in geology, you can see those roots in her wonderful artwork. This is especially the case in her exhibition “Time Elapsed”, now on display at the Salthouse Gallery in St Ives from 28th June to 4th July.

I am extremely blessed to have been invited by Mary to put forward some of my geology photos to be displayed at her exhibition. As a structural geologist, I often think some of the complex shapes in geological outcrop are more works of art than an ancient story of tectonic deformation deep in the Earth’s crust. As scientists, sometimes we all need to take a step back from the black and white grind of data collection and analysis, and just enjoy the natural beauty and magnitude of what we a studying.

Mary has selected images from outcrop scale to those showing the majesty of the Cornish coast. All are printed in black and white, at A1 or A2, on aluminium boards. They have come out so well! I am so pleased with them.

A few people have asked me if I will potentially get more printed and offered for sale… watch this space!

If you haven’t already been down, I can really recommend popping in to the Salthouse Gallery this week to see Mary’s exhibition (Salthouse Gallery, Norway Square, St Ives, TR26 1NB). As well as my images, Mary’s artwork is beautiful and so clearly inspired by the geology and landscapes of Cornwall.

Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mary!