Hope from Chaos: In Conversation with Luke Jerram

Since 2004, Jerram has been creating intensively-researched glass models derived from the microbiological structure of bacteria and viruses. They form his Glass Microbiology sculpture series, which has been used to help visualise and communicate the science of the pandemic.

Jerram’s Coronavirus – COVID-19 glass sculpture was created in tribute to the huge global scientific and medical efforts made to combat the pandemic. When he tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2020, it led to the creation of his next work Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine.

Three years into the pandemic, artists and scientists contemplate isolation and innovation in this companion talk series of Hope from Chaos exhibition. Hear more about artistic practices around the world which reflect the complexity and nuance of an unfolding reality, and find out how scientists in Singapore are stepping up research to meet the challenge of the COVID-19 outbreak.

About the Artist

Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the UK but working internationally since 1997, Jerram has created extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the world.

Jerram’s Glass Microbiology artworks are in museum collections around the world including The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), Shanghai Museum of Glass, Wellcome Collection (London) and Corning Museum of Glass (USA). In 2020 his sculptures of COVID-19, were used extensively worldwide by the press, to communicate the nature of the pandemic. Jerram’s sculptures are respected in the scientific community, with features in The Lancet, Scientific American, BMJ and on the front cover of Nature Magazine. In 2010 Jerram won the coveted Rakow Award for this work and a fellowship at the Museum of Glass, Washington.