How Do I Enter

1.
Create a piece of artwork to depict any aspect of one of the two topics.

You can use any medium, including textiles or modelling. If you make a fragile piece, please keep it small enough to be transported safely. Prizes will be awarded purely for artistic merit, but preference for the artist in residence placement will be given to the candidate who can best communicate the scientific aspects of the topics. This can lead to an 'artist in residence' placement.

or

2.
Create a movie or game to illustrate any one of the topics.

The project should be visually appealing and educational. This can lead to an 'artist in residence' placement.

Got A Question

The organisers would be delighted to talk with you about your project.

Fill in the comments and questions section of the application form and we will get back to you or Email Yvonne Vallis

Report from an 'Artist In Residence'
"I have found my residency at the MRC a really awe-inspiring experience. It has been an honour to be allowed into the lab and have the various projects explained to me and I feel so lucky to have been involved in the initiative. The 'Imagining The Brain' competition is a rare and very valuable opportunity for young people to explore their interests in both art and science, which I think is fantastic. The project has encouraged me to explore areas of enquiry in my art that I would not have previously considered and due to this I have found the process hugely stimulating and interesting. It is not often that someone of my age can have access to what is going on at the very forefront of science, and I cannot thank everybody at the MRC enough for being so kind in showing me their work and encouraging me with my art work." Lucinda Dawkins, Cambridge

Report from Head of Art, Netherhall Sixth Form Centre
"We have taken part in Imagining the brain since 2006. The talks are so exciting and cutting edge science is presented in clear language in a way we can all understand. The aim of the topics is to ask questions that are important to both artists and scientists: Who are we? What happens when our brains don't work properly? How does life work? My students get a lot out of the project. They love the exhibition and it is really exciting after concentrating on the curriculum to have this artistic space where they can freely explore something completely different. Yvonne's enthusiasm for science and her ability to talk about very complex subjects in an easy and understandable way has opened a lot of doors for students and staff here.

Report from Head of Art, Impington Village College "Imagining the Brain is a brilliant initiative. Yvonne comes to the Sixth Form annually and gives talks structured around the requirement of the Theory of Knowledge component of the International Baccalaureate. The talks are gripping, for both staff and students and encourage all of us to think in new directions. The exhibitions have been very good for Impington students, allowing several pupils to really achieve their potential as serious artists. Understanding a bit more about the nuts and bolts of how their brains work engages even the students who had decided that science wasn't for them. As an art teacher, I am impressed with the way that that my pupils are inspired by the science topics.
I hope Imagining the Brain continues long into the future.

Judging The Work

The competition will be externally judged by distinguished artists and scientists.

Normally, three winners will be chosen and cash prizes will be awarded; £120 for first place, £90 for second place and £60 for third place. You will be asked to attend a prize giving ceremony at the MRC and we will retain the artwork of the winning entries. If your art is also part of the requirements for your GCSE, AS, A level or IB course, you will have it returned to your school or college for marking.

We endeavor to use the artwork to communicate science to a variety of audiences. Your artwork could be used to explain ideas at international conferences, public understanding of science events, journal covers or book illustrations; there are many possibilities.

We will retain the copyright on any images you produce during your placement but you will always be credited for your work.

Entry Form

Online entry form

Project Briefs 1:

Neurotechnology
A healthy, fully functional human being experiences catastrophe. A part of the nervous system stops working, due to disease or trauma. It might be a form of blindness or deafness; the person is robbed of that sense.

It might be a spinal injury, resulting in paralysis of one or more limbs. It might be the loss of part of the body – a limb, perhaps an eye. The damage might be even more devastating, resulting in “locked-in” syndrome, in which the sufferer is conscious and can function cognitively, but has no way of communicating with the outside world.

And life is forever changed. What if it were possible to use medical electronics to bridge the gaps? How would it be if electrical signals from remaining nerves and muscles controlled an artificial limb, or a speech synthesizer? What if damage to the sense organs could be bypassed, allowing hearing or sight using machines to pick up sound or light and signal to the nervous system? Suppose you could control a computer cursor with thought alone?

We will explore the world of neurotechnology; the interface between the human nervous system and electronic devices. When catastrophe changes our lives, can we change our brains to compensate?

What artists should consider:

• What are the promises and problems of neurotechnology?
• How does an intimate relationship with neurotechnology affect how we see ourselves and each other?
• What are the consequences of using neurotechnology to enhance humans?

You can also download the full presentation (.pptx) on Neurotechnology.

We are happy to accept work in any format, either fine art, 3D, photography, digital art or a game.

Further information on the topics will be posted in January.

For more information on this or any of the topics, please contact: Yvonne Vallis at ITB@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk or phone 07904 556135

Project Briefs 2:

The Teenage Brain

“Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers.” Socrates ~400BCE

Sound familiar? This rather uncharitable view of teenagers has been voiced throughout the ages. How much of it is true?

It is clear that many things change during adolescence. Sleeping and eating patterns, social interactions, reasoning and risk evaluation are all behaviours that change dramatically. As we enter the final phase before adult maturity, our brains become more specialized, we hone our learning skills, we dare to do things differently. We also suffer: many mental illnesses develop during adolescence: eating disorders, depression, self-harm and schizophrenia.

What is happening inside the teenage brain? We will explore the extraordinary changes that are occurring well into the early 20s and try to develop an understanding of the remarkable changing brain of the teenager.

What artists should consider:

• What changes occur in the adolescent brain?
• What advantages and disadvantages do such major changes result in?
• How do relationships between teenagers and others change; what are the changes in how teenagers view themselves and the world?

You can also download the full presentation (.pptx) on The Teenage Brain.

We are happy to accept work in any format, either fine art, 3D, photography, digital art or a game.

Further information on the topics will be posted in January.

For more information on this or any of the topics, please contact: Yvonne Vallis at ITB@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk or phone 07904 556135