International competition win for College artist

Pery won First Prize at the 2012 Next Big Idea Science and Math Competition at Los Alamos, New Mexico. The competition is held in conjunction with the Next Big Idea Festival. Artists from around the world are called on to creatively demonstrate a scientific or mathematical concept, principle or phenomena through artistic media of their choosing, including digital, drawing, photography, sculpture, performance or painting. More than seven hundred entries were received this year, which further highlights Pery’s wonderful achievement.

Pery’s winning entry, ‘A part thereof’, was created earlier this year in the Thermofluids Lab in the University of Exeter’s Harrison Building. This image captures the eye because it has echoes of organic forms. The scientific principle behind the image is that this form exists because it has evolved in this way - its shape is a record of its own creation.

Her second entry, ‘Fly by Light’, was selected as the Judges’ Choice for Visual Interest and Impact. The linear complexity and the ever-changing colours both cause our eye to move across the image, always seeing something new.

Pery Burge has just completed a year as artist in residence at the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences. She is funded by the Leverhulme Trust Artist in Residence programme.

Renowned globally for her innovative and colourful work, Pery grew up in Launceston, North Cornwall, and now lives in Ottery in Devon. Over the last year, she has been working with University engineering, mathematics and physics researchers and students to find a new way of bringing art and science together.

Pery’s end of year exhibition, entitled ‘...the pattern is new in every moment’, celebrates some of the innovative results of this collaboration. It features images, videos and 3D work created during the course of her residency at the University of Exeter. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view the winning competition entries.

Pery Burge said: “Every single time I have been to work in the Fluids Lab this year, either on my own or with colleagues from the Harrison Building, something surprising and often beautiful has emerged. My exhibition will highlight some of the key points of this exciting and unpredictable journey in artistic flow visualization. I very much hope you enjoy it!"

The exhibition opens on Friday 5 October and runs until Wednesday 21 November between 8.00 and 20.00 in the Forum.