Afifa Saburi
Department/Program
School of Visual Studies
Image of artwork by Katina Bitsicas

An interactive AR drawing in Bitsicas’ exhibition. 

Katina Bitsicas, an artist and assistant professor of digital storytelling in the School of Visual Studies, created a project that combines her own family history with scientific research. Her series of work called “the abject” focuses on finding the beauty in grief, loss, and bereavement.  

Bitsicas lost her father to cancer last summer and was inspired to create art that features science, colors, and imagery. Because of the art’s unique focus on science, specifically cancer, Bitsicas’ work will be displayed at the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building when the building opens in October 19.  

Bitsicas’ work uses archival scientific footage and an old overhead projector to design images that could be printed as large adhesive clings. She combines bright vibrant colors to show beauty and joy while signifying the seriousness of illnesses. NextGen’s researchers are dedicated to finding solutions to society’s most complicated diseases, including cancer. Therefore, opening the center with Bitsicas’ work will mark as the first of many NextGen-inspired collaborations between artists, scientists, and researchers.   

“I’m hoping my work can help researchers think in new and exciting ways to move their projects forward while working in the building,” Bitsicas said. “Not that my art will change how they think, but maybe it will encourage them to consider all possibilities for the problems they are trying to solve.” 

You can learn more about Bitsicas’ work in collaboration with NextGen here: https://showme.missouri.edu/2021/the-art-of-science/