Scots artist Ronnie Forbes will unveil his latest body of work, ‘De Rerum Natura: The Nature of Things’, later this month following a two-year residency at SCRI, Scotland’s leading crop research centre.

The project was supported by the Leverhulme Trust.

‘De Rerum Natura: The Nature of Things’ celebrates the work of the scientists at SCRI and forms a narrative around the way we see and understand the world. Forbes says it’s about illusion, belief and reality – and the fuzzy edges between them. The work comprises large paintings, unique digital-collage prints and a film made with the help of cell biologists!

The first exhibition of Forbes’ new work will be at the Hannah Maclure Centre, University of Abertay, Dundee, from 16 February – 8 May 2009. It will also be shown in Edinburgh and Chicago.

During his residency Forbes engaged in dialogue with a wide range of scientists and in the process learned much about the complex world of science. Although science and art are very different; the former depending on verifiable evidence and the latter on intuitive ‘feelings of rightness’; Forbes found they shared remarkable similarities in the investigative process.

Speaking about his residency Forbes said; “Working with the staff of SCRI has been truly invigorating. My vision has been refreshed by this opportunity to explore the invisible world that science reveals.”

During his time working with the scientists at SCRI, Forbes also acted as curator for Artfest, a month long exhibition of art, crafts and photography produced by SCRI staff, which was a huge success and is now likely to become an annual event.

He also took part in an Open Farm Sunday event assisting young visitors to create their own digital artworks based on The Living Field garden. Throughout his residency he also kept staff up to date with his progress by holding an open studio event and bringing works in progress to SCRI.

SCRI Director and Chief Executive Professor Peter Gregory said; “We are delighted to have had such a prestigious artist as Ronnie as our artist-in-residence here. His work and discussions with scientists have enabled us to view our scientific research in a different light and allowed us a unique insight into the ways in which an artist perceives the revelations of scientific discovery.

“His encouragement of staff in their own artistic endeavours by organising the Artfest exhibition featuring their work was also greatly appreciated. We hope that Ronnie will remain a friend of the SCRI long after his residency has ended.”

Forbes body of works produced while at SCRI include the titles such as, “Adam and Eve: Knowledge Transfer,” and have subjects including Hermes, messenger of the Gods, in his white lab coat. Others look at the myth of Demeter and Persephone that gives us one kind of understanding of our seasons and the growth of crops.

More information from:

Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560044 (direct line), Mobile: 07810 860 701 or

Lorraine Wakefield, Information and Online Service Officer, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560047 (direct line) or 562731 (switchboard).

Notes to editors

De Rerum Natura: The Nature of Things will run from 16 February – 8 May 2009 at the Hannah Maclure Centre, Top Floor Student Centre, 1-3 Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HP. Open Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.45pm. Admission is free.

Digital-collage prints and the film will be shown at the Edinburgh International Science Festival from 6-18 April 2009. The entire exhibition will travel to Chicago in the autumn where it will be shown at the John David Mooney Foundation.

Visit the Artist-in-Residence page to read more about Ronnie's work at SCRI and see some of his works.