Medical Research Council - London Institute of Medical Sciences

Now in our 12th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

A Picture of Health - Science and Art collaboration - V A Good Night's Sleep

30 November 2019

A Good Night's Sleep

"A Picture of Health" is a well-known phrase that conjures up a wide range of imagery and interpretations across communities and scientific disciplines. Artwork on this theme created by five artist-scientist groups, the culmination of a collaborative project between MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts, London, reflects current research topics vital to human health.

Sleep clinician and artist Laura Madeley used data from a study of overnight sleep, daily activity and light exposure to design a print pattern. Laura explored the resemblance between the study data and that of the skyline of an urban landscape, prompting questions about the impact of the urban lifestyle on sleep, and what healthy sleep truly is. A Good Night's Sleep is an immersive environment that invites you to ‘enter the artist's bedroom’. Embedded in every element of this relatable setting are sleep data visualisation landscapes using mixed media, print, textiles and digital approaches.

"A Picture of Health" artwork can be seen at the Science Museum Lates in London this week

Written by Sophie Arthur and Lucy Brown

  • Image of work created by Dr Laura Madeley photographed by Jody Kingzett
  • MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts, London UK
  • Image copyright held by the photographer

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences the website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biomedicine. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.