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Mutation: In a Heartbeat

Type
Animated mixed media artwork
Year
2024 - 2025

Inspiration and composition

Mutation: In a Heartbeat â€¯is an animated artwork that vividly portrays the transformation of cells from benign to malignant—a mysterious and critical process in human biology. The piece began as an acrylic painting inspired by imagery from electron microscopy and cell cultures. Using bold colours and layered forms, Spronk depicted healthy cells transitioning into disorganized, malignant ones. The benign cells appear as circular and uniform shapes at the top, gradually giving way to irregular, proliferative forms at the bottom, illustrating the chaos inherent in malignancy. 

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The artwork’s next stage involved photographing the acrylic painting and digitally distorting it using Procreate to simulate cellular transformation within a single heartbeat. Spronk aimed to capture the fleeting nature of these changes, emphasizing the fragility of the body’s mechanisms. The result is an animated visualization that combines dynamic movement with abstract biological patterns to evoke the complexity and immediacy of cellular change. 

Connection to Mysteries in Science

This piece captures the profound enigma of how the body maintains its delicate equilibrium while remaining susceptible to sudden and catastrophic changes. By using animation to explore the transformation of cells, Spronk emphasizes the transient yet impactful nature of these processes, which remain only partially understood by science. 

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Spronk’s work underscores the shared goal of art and science: to confront complexity and unravel the mysteries of life. Mutation: In a Heartbeat invites viewers to reflect on the fragile balance within their own bodies, fostering both wonder and curiosity about the unseen dynamics of biology. By making these abstract processes visually compelling, Spronk bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and human experience, encouraging deeper engagement with the mysteries that define life. 

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About Merve Spronk

The Artist

The Netherlands

Merve Spronk is a researcher and general practitioner with a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University. Currently pursuing a PhD on ethnic disparities in infectious diseases, Spronk integrates her medical expertise with a lifelong passion for art. Growing up in an artistic family, she developed a deep appreciation for abstract and expressive styles, which now serve as a bridge between her scientific pursuits and creative endeavours. A returning contributor to the I Art My Science project, Spronk’s work continues to captivate audiences with her exploration of the intersection between biology, health, and artistic expression. 

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