Lauren Wright Vartanian: Stitching Science

Cambridge Art Galleries' inaugural pop-up exhibition at Idea Exchange, Old Post Office, features the work of Guelph-based artist Lauren Wright Vartanian. Her latest work, Stitching Science, merges art and science in 27 intricate diagrammatic embroideries. A culmination of three years of work and countless stitches, these embroideries, each representing a letter of the alphabet, depict scientific concepts in a creative and accessible way. This exhibition coincides with Wright Vartanian’s book release, Stitching Science: Exploring Science from A to Z, published by Firefly Books Ltd. in the fall of 2024.
 

Artist Statement: These are the illustrations for a science themed alphabet book. Each page explores a topic that I was interested in learning more about or explaining to others in a fun and inviting way. I began working on them in the summer of 2020– my pandemic project– and finished the Z panel in August of 2023. They were created in alphabetical order, and the “cover” panel was completed in February of this year.

Originally conceived as a cloth book for babies, as I continued on with this project the concepts and the artwork itself became more advanced, approaching themes that include quantum physics, fractal mathematics and fetal development. I decided that by photographing each page and presenting this as a published, hardcover book, I would be able to share it with a wider audience. This also allowed more freedom of expression, opening up for more three-dimensional aspects and more complicated techniques. I enjoyed learning as I went along and pushing my creativity with new methods. I taught myself how to quilt with English paper piecing, weave on a mini loom, use a free motion foot on the sewing machine, and committed to completing two 28 count cross-stitch dinosaurs with a combined total of 14,619 stitches! All appliqued elements are hand stitched. I also included needle felting, hand embroidery and beading.

The book proposal was picked up by Firefly Books, a Canadian traditional publisher that focuses on beautiful educational books. I collaborated with award-winning children’s non-fiction author Keltie Thomas on the text which accompanies my art. The writing is targeted at elementary school aged children, but the book is really for anyone with a passion for learning about science and an appreciation of textile art. Stitching Science: Exploring Science from A-Z is now available for pre-order online and in book stores. 

Lauren Wright Vartanian is a multidisciplinary artist currently focusing on textile art. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from OCAD University, where she graduated in 2006. She has been creating and selling art under the name Neurons and Nebulas since 2016. Her work blends art and science in a way that is fun and educational, but also beautiful and inviting. She lives in Guelph with her partner and school aged child.