Birth and Rebirth Print

In this short autobiography I will describe how my combined passion for astronomy and art helped me to evolve both as a person and artist. I will conclude by explaining how my vision to integrate science and art feeds into my artistic approach in the present, and going forward. Inspiration originated mainly from my Dad’s black-and-white NASA photos that he collected as a teenager. Rummaging through the contents of the box-room when I was a little girl, I was awestruck to discover those NASA photos, my mum’s biology notes, dad’s painstakingly neat, hand-written Physics notes, and mum’s drawings. I saw no boundaries between physics, biology and art – when you observe something deeply, you note its form perhaps by drawing it to enhance understanding. Also, it is striking how microscopic images of biological material and images of deeper space seem to look like abstract art! Physics explained to me why I observed the rainbow effect emanated from crystals, why a stick immersed in water appears bent; why insects float on the water surface. In recent years I further nourished my devotion to astronomy and art. I discovered astrobiology thanks to online platforms offering courses. The first astrobiology online course I completed felt like winning the lottery. I could not believe it that a subject that combined astronomy and biology (and so much more!) ended on my lap. I subsequently completed another Astrobiology Certificate by Amity University of Mumbai that even included art in its program. At the end of the course, an art book was compiled that contained astronomy-related artwork created by the students. I contributed a handful of artworks for this art book; some in pen-work and others in anime-style. Thus the idea of integrating science with art started to grow serendipitously. According to my mum I was drawing before talking and walking. Circling back to little Christine who discovered science and art from the simple and humble confines of the box-room, a vision developed characterized by the integration of science and art. I feel very special when I communicate my astronomy-inspired art [1] to other children from this little corner of the world where I live (Malta). This astronomy colouring book for children was developed as a way to engage youngsters in both art and science. In tandem with the artistic and scientific evolution there is the spiritual side.