This work and its counterpart started out as a little sketch in my bullet journal. I had the idea of creating two "identical" pictures. One showing empty space in the shape of a neuron and the other being its mirror image that is filled with an actual cell. Here's the birth certificate of this idea.... Continue Reading →
“The Void” – an artistic experiment – Part I
Following my "Stages of Grief" series, I have set out to create a piece to represent the very first stage - DENIAL. While in my earlier pieces I did my best to stay true to scientific form, here I have come to border abstraction. This piece turns the biology on its head, showing the outline of a... Continue Reading →
Intricacies of scientific models
I have always been a sucker for fancy and intricate scientific devices. I don't want to say instruments, because that would imply electronic equipment. Although even there, if it has to do with imaging cells, I'm in! But I am referring more to items that you can actually touch and interact with, especially on a... Continue Reading →
So grateful for this feedback
This quote was recently posted on Facebook in association with my latest piece "Sunrise". I am so thankful for the kind words from one of my customers Carla Harris! "I love the art of Yana Zorina, a neuroscientist whose artworks are inspired by her field of scientific research. I have been following this blog for... Continue Reading →
“Sunrise”
One of the major challenges in the field of neuroscience is the poor ability of neurons to regenerate after acute injury. Conditions such as spinal cord injury sever the neuronal connections, leading to permanent paralysis with no treatments currently available. After birth, the vast majority of neurons lose their ability to divide and create new cells,... Continue Reading →
Stages of grief
When somebody mentions the "stages of grief", what comes to mind? Is it necessarily death or the loss of a loved one? Is it necessarily tied to losing a person (or perhaps pet), or can it be applicable to inanimate things as well? For example, could it be related to a certain stage in your... Continue Reading →
“Hope”
Ever since going through a traumatic experience in 2017, I have been working on expressing my emotions through art. In 2017, I created "Tortured", where the nerve scar represents a shocking life event that acts as a significant barrier to moving forward. Despite its presence, some brave growth tips manage to break through. They show resilience,... Continue Reading →
“Art of the Brain” Exhibition
I am thrilled to announce that my artwork will be featured at the”Art of the Brain” exhibit at Mount Sinai next Monday (3/12). There will be an opening reception and over 80 total pieces of scientific images and sculptures from Sinai. The reception will be held at 6 – 8 pm and the exhibit will... Continue Reading →
“All Wrapped Up”
Here is the long promised piece I made last year. It is based on a confocal microscopy image that I took at my previous job. All Wrapped Up, 2017 Just like a wire, neurons use electrical signals to convey information. And similarly to wires, neurons require outer insulation for efficient communication. This insulation is provided... Continue Reading →
Epilepsy awareness
Experiencing an epileptic seizure can be quite scary. It comes as a wave of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can lead to a wide spectrum of symptoms. These symptoms can range from feeling lightly nauseous and unsteady, to exhibiting uncontrollable jerking movements and losing consciousness. It can be debilitating, not only at the... Continue Reading →
