20th anniversary cover of the mcgill science undergraduate journal:
what would it be like to see into the brain? to map its pulses of electricity, traveling across networks upon networks of branching, interwoven neurons?
msurj’s 20th anniversary cover explores the possibilities of visualizing brain activity through electroencephalography (eeg), illustrating its potential applications to assessing consciousness recovery in sedated pediatric epilepsy patients. inspired by author marlo naish et. al.'s innovative work, found on pages 1-8, this cover artwork offers a colorful and fantastical interpretation of the ebbs and flows of chaotic, seizure-state brain waves.
typically, “windows” into the brain look more like sticky electrodes with wires that transmit electrical signals from the head to a computer. however, artist emma lowry interprets them as eyes peering into the world of layered, textured signs of life, which are stronger in some areas (indicated in bright red) and weaker in others (shown in cool blue tones). similar to a topographical map, she localizes the highest complexity eeg indicators in the warmest shades, which are the best signifiers for the restoration of consciousness. created with a combination of acrylic paint markers and digital art tools, this drawing is a whimsical portrait of the artist’s imagining of the hectic and resilient mind of the child.
acrylic paint marker on paper - 9x12in
