Yas Crawford

THE GREY SPACE

My experience of working collaboratively has been only one of success. Its led to development of research papers, imagery for PhD research, front covers for journals, animated videos for exhibition and extended my knowledge and ability to delve deeper into a variety of subject areas. Working collaboratively has so many benefits, new thinking, new ideas, improved mental health and wellbeing, a new perspective.     

Working in the 'grey space' or the 'space in-between' art and science and other disciplines can be challenging. Accuracy of science and the abstraction of art can only intertwine as one when we overcome the fear of those anomalies and revel in the beauty of its ambiguity. Inaccuracies and ambiguity after all feed our enquiring minds, whilst the experience of failed images and failed science offers new direction and new results. To narrow our field of expertise narrows our imagination, our creativity and space to learn. 

If we have been lucky enough to dip in and out of the art and sciences or a mix of disciplines during our careers, as I have been, we might describe ourselves as 'multi - or intra- or inter- or anti- or trans- disciplinary'. Each description suggesting a new category and a separation of work which, in a way, we need to avoid. Being careful about how we describe our roles and communicate the future of collaborative work will ensure we work openly in the present and through which we can anticipate our future.  

2021 - Present. 

Working with with the John Curtin School of Medicine, Canberra and the Neuronal Signalling Group at the Eccles Institute of Neuroscience of the Australian National University Mapping Neurons we explored threatening visual stimuli in rodents,  and how they can evoke innate defensive behaviours, freeze and escape. Images were produced for a front cover for journals and for a global audience to more easily understand scientific concepts. 

"My discussions with Yas have provided me with better insight into how my work is perceived and I find it intriguing to see her interpretation of the science in the form of visual art"_Dr R. Broersen. 

This work continues at the Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands. 

All Images ©Yas Crawford. 2020-present. The Eye I-III

Archival images sourced form Neuronal Signalling Group, Eccles Institute of neurosciences. 

Working with the Clinical Imaging and Sciences Centre, Brighton in 2019,  a selection of images were created to reflect an ongoing trial on Post Exertional Malaise in M.E/cfs patients. One aspect of the investigation looked at neurological Interoception in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) patients. 

Interoception is considered to be The 8th Sense, a link between bodily sensation and emotional reactions. In recent decades the idea of how the body processes information and bodily sensations has created the idea of the experienced phenomenologically lived body as the basis of consciousness. Limited computational and cognitive theories suggests that the study of interoception remains enactive. 

All images © Yas Crawford. 2019 - 2021

Working with PhD Researchers from the Quadram Institute of Biosciences Norwich on the immune system of M.E/cfs patients, a series of images were created to support their individual research. The artworks were later used for press release and for an international scientific exhibition in London, the IIMEC14 attended by scientists, researchers, carers and patients. 

Yas is a great artist who really understood the concept of my research. We were able to work together to produce some fantastic abstract photographs which were able to demonstrate some of the experiments I perform in the laboratory. Thoroughly enjoyed working with her and would be happy to work with her again in the future_Dr. Katharine Seton

All images © Yas Crawford. 2019 - 2021