Reprogramming Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs): A Composition Outside of Time, Scale, and Certainty after Wassily Kandinsky (2023) is a photomedia work that creatively documents the transformation timeline of PBMCs into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Inspired by the abstract style and philosophical ideas of Wassily Kandinsky, the piece presents cellular reprogramming as a dynamic, layered composition that transcends representations of biological certainty.

Using circular forms and vibrant colors, the work captures the fluid stages of cellular transformation, evoking a cosmic connection that links the microscopic with the universal. The colors allude to a sense of interconnectedness and the shared essence of all life, reflecting Kandinsky's belief in art as a means to access deeper spiritual and universal truths. In his work, Kandinsky sought to express the inner essence of things, seeing color, shape, and form as tools to communicate beyond the visible, material world. Similarly, Reprogramming PBMCs uses abstract forms and color to suggest the hidden, unpredictable nature of cellular reprogramming, blending scientific precision with an artistic interpretation that echoes Kandinsky’s quest to bridge the physical and the metaphysical.

This work was developed with A/Prof. Brad Sutherland and Dr Jo-Maree Courtney from the UTAS School of Medicine and formed part of the collaborative Transformation Studies exhibition at Moonah Art Centre in 2023.