Taken from my sketchbook, these pages of my diatom drawings and research are a limited edition printed on glass. The perfect material for diatoms are glass lace or silica architecture housing plankton. This series captures the deep dive of building my complex sculpture, Flourish made for Invisible World of Water exhibit at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Nov 13, 2021 - May 1, 2022. The sculpture includes 21 different diatom species which had to be scientifically accurate for the exhibit at our nation’s first Natural History Museum.
I had the top diatomist in the world, Dr. Marina Potapova, Curator of the Herbarium (Diatom) Collection at The Academy as my 911 Diatom Lifeline Call. TRUTH. Dr. Potapova curates the 2nd largest diatom collection in the world started by Dr. Ruth Patrick. It was an honor to work with her again. She brought detailed perspective from every angle so I could sculpt in clay creating homages to each diatom with integrity. The diatoms became like blossoming petals referencing the sacred geometry symbol, The Flower of Life work for Flourish.
Diatoms photosynthesize over a quarter of the planet’s oxygen and live in fresh and salt water, even moisture in the soil. They are considered the Lungs of the Planet which we must honor and protect like the crown jewels that they are. Our lives and all life on Earth depend on it as we are intrinsically linked.
Email to inquire about purchasing the 5”sq. ($75) or 7.2” × 9.6” ($150) glass prints with foam board, screw & metal plate stand for 5”sq. I have posted what is presently available but can have more printed in various sizes from this series for custom orders.
Matriarch Homage and deep bow to the Academy of Natural Science (Philadelphia) Diatom Collection Founder, Dr. Ruth Patrick & Current Herbarium (Diatom) Curator, Dr. Marina Potapova. Each diatom on this face of Flourish was named by or for each of these pioneering scientists.
7.2” × 9.6” glass prints on foam board & screw for wall install,
$150, sustainably packaged.
This face of Flourish gives a nod to the exhibit’s micro phenomena of diatoms & snowflake crystals.
7.2” × 9.6” glass prints on foam board & screw for wall install,
$150, sustainably packaged.
The diatom sculpture’s Legend with description and identification of the 21 species by name, habitat and geographical range.
7.2” × 9.6” glass prints on foam board & screw for wall install,
$150, sustainably packaged.
Centric diatom in the center of the Matriarch Homage.
5” sq. glass prints on foam board, screw for wall install & metal stand for table, $75, sustainably packaged.
Matriarch Homage and deep bow to the Academy of Natural Science (Philadelphia) Diatom Collection Founder, Dr. Ruth Patrick & Current Herbarium (Diatom) Curator, Dr. Marina Potapova. Each diatom on this face of Flourish was named by or for each of these pioneering scientists.
5” sq. glass prints on foam board, screw for wall install & metal stand for table, $75, sustainably packaged.
This face of Flourish gives a nod to the exhibit’s micro phenomena of diatoms & snowflake crystals.
5” sq. glass prints on foam board, screw for wall install & metal stand for table, $75, sustainably packaged.
On a visit to the Herbarium Collection, Dr. Marina Potapova shared a gem and one of the tiniest of the one-cell (microscopic) diatoms: discotella. She had me with disco lol but seriously this jewel became one of the 3 petit stemmed diatoms in a radiating crown encircling Flourish.
This page includes notes in the lower left corner of Ruth Patrick’s extraordinary pioneering work which established the field of Water Ecology.
On the right are colonies or networks of diatoms fusing together. These microscopic wonders understand the value of interdependence and mutual support. They are not self-propelled so they work together as a unit to navigate into nutrient rich waters. They alone provide over a quarter of Earth’s oxygen although they are only 1 cell. Imagine what we can achieve together for reciprocal sustainability.
5” sq. glass prints on foam board, screw for wall install & metal stand for table, $75, sustainably packaged.
The upper left of the drawing highlights centric diatom Melosira echinata, the central species of Flourish, View A. On the lower right, are perspectives of diatom Rhapalodia rupestria which sits at 6 o’clock on the same view.
5” sq. glass prints on foam board, screw for wall install & metal stand for table, $75, sustainably packaged.
Drawing plans for the ceramic and animated video installation Interdependence. La Mer sculptures and shields are mapped out following ocean currents of the (projected) image of the Earth taken by Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972. This photo became the symbol for Earth Day (April 22) which was an inspiration during its 50th anniversary year in 2020.
The Marine Milky Way sketch expanding beyond the (projected) image of Earth for Interdependence installation on a 33’ x 15’.
The digital legend created by Rich Gretzinger based on my drawings and image of The Blue Marble.
Wildlife and La Mer have been an ongoing expedition into the essential and exquisite workings of the environment and our mutual relationship. Captivated by the intricate microscopic marine forms and their vast interdependent network, the love affair took a deep dive.
Enthralled and yet often not knowing specifically what the extraordinary life forms were invited a flood of exploration and discovery.
These pages share this artist’s passionate process, exploration and research to fathom who and what these beauties are inspiring the sculpture. She continues to dive deeper with each treasure revealing their diverse role supporting this beautiful blue planet.
Some of Earth’s earliest life has been supporting the planet for over 540 million years. It is time to pay attention. If single-cell organisms can work together to create a sustainable environment for an entire planet, imagine what we can do as engaged ambassadors.
Hagan is often asked if she is a scientist. She is simply excited about life and learning.
These sketchbook highlights reflect adventures ranging from the microscopic primary producers to the lighting system of a firefly squid, an argonaut shown here, the powerful intellect and intuition of the blue whale and manta ray to the complexities of coral reef ecosystems.
Understanding what she can about each life form, is Hagan’s way of “downloading”. In her experience, the knowledge moves through her, informing the ceramic and creative process to deliver its message. These pages star dinoflagellates which are one-cell, meaning only seen in a microscope. Naked to the human eye yet part of the primary producers supporting the entire planet from the sunlit layer of the ocean. They photosynthesize with the diatoms and fellow micro primary producers to create over 50% of Earth’s oxygen, every other breath we breathe. Thank you, primary producers. Thank you, ocean.
Connecting with the essence of the subject has always guided Hagan from the technically accurate to intuitive abstractions.