The Artist’s Eye: Drawing from Natural History

This course explores Natural History in its widest sense, from botany and zoology to anthropology, geology, palaeontology, and astronomy. What is the role of drawing in these fields, and can an art practice contribute to knowledge?

Each week we will study a different theme, uncovering new stories and explore ways of responding. We will work with selected drawings - from medieval florilegia to explorer’s sketchbooks, unravelling stories behind paper archives and explore contemporary collaborations in art and science, each giving a different way of seeing, knowing and representing the world. We will then look to physical objects in global collections, such as the Smithsonian's Institute’s minerals or the Field Museum’s entomology and ornithology collections, bringing new insights with our drawn responses. Students are welcome to work in a range of materials, however particular focus will be given to graphite drawing, watercolour and collage.