The Art for Science Exhibition: Why Art for Science

Often, when people think about science, they think about abstract information, data, formulas, etc, that are hard to read, understand or interpret. Using imagery to explicate science is one way scientists can explain the unexplainable to lay people in a way they can relate with. This is the thinking behind the establishment of the “Art for Science” – a Public Engagement with Science (PES) initiative of the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation.

Disclaimer: The images used on this website belong to Science Photo Library and are used solely for illustrative purposes. We do not claim ownership or copyright over these images. All visual content is the property of the respective owners.

Climate & Planetary  Health

Involves analysing and addressing the impacts of human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems on human health and all life on Earth. There is no doubt that our global environment is changing due to the negative footprint of human actions.

From global scale pollution of air, water, and soil; to shortages of arable land and freshwater; pervasive changes in land use and cover; and degradation of marine systems.

These changes affect the quality of the air we breathe and of the water we drink, the quality and quantity of food we produce, our exposure to infectious diseases, and even the habitability of the places where we live.

These changes affect the quality of the air we breathe and of the water we drink, the quality and quantity of food we produce, our exposure to infectious diseases, and even the habitability of the places where we live.

The goal is to create inquiry-based experiences, and new ways of thinking about and sharing science in ways that transform society’s perception, interaction, access, and utilization of science and its outcomes.

Burning and clearing forests

Andodahela National Park, South Madagascar, March 2005.

Cows and vultures scavenging on a landfill site

Mannjai Kunda rubbish dump, The Gambia, 2008.

Children playing amongst refuse

Uganda, 2015.

Open Cast Mining

Blasting at an open cast uranium mine

Excavator working at uranium mine

Worker cleaning excavator arm at uranium mine

Opencast mine, Johannesburg

Aerial view of an opencast mine in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Sinkhole at abandoned coal mine; Witbank, Mpumalanga

Sink holes pose serious health and environmental risks. The area around Witbank is said to have the most polluted air in the world (EU research).

Abandoned acid mine drainage plant; Witbank, Mpumalanga, SA.

Acid Mine Drainage is the outflow of acidic water from metal or coal mines. Tailing ponds are areas where waterborne refuse material is pumped into a pond to allow the sedimentation of solid material from the water.

Chemical waste leaking from factory Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa

View over land contaminated by chemical waste leaking from an abandoned vanadium processing plant . This waste allegedly contains various toxic heavy metals.

Acid mine drainage; Macalder, Kenya

Large pool of red coloured water caused by acid mine drainage; the leeching of acidic minerals from earth exposed to water or air during mining. This is the site of a former copper mine that was closed in the 1960s.

Heat:

GEOS model of the heatwave affecting most of the Eastern hemisphere on 13th July 2022. The map shows air temperatures over land.

  • Blue areas: Lower than 20s degrees Celsius (C)
  • White areas: 20-24 degrees Celsius (C)
  • Yellow and orange: 24-30 degrees Celsius (C)
  • Red areas : 30-40 degrees Celsius (C)
  • Black areas: 40-45 degrees Celsius (C)
Heatwaves in June and July have broken high temperature records in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, caused wildfires, crop failures and damage to infrastructure as well as loss of life.

Eastern hemisphere heatwave, July 2022 Goddard Earth Observing System-5 (GEOS-5) model

Mt. Kilimanjaro:

Snow on Mount Kilimanjaro, LandSat satellite (17/Feb 1993; 21/ Feb 2000; 2/June/ 2002)

The snow and ice on Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, has been receding in recent years. This is due to increasing temperatures in the region, linked to climate change due to human activities.

The ice cap is over 11,000 years old, but 80% of the volume of ice has been lost in the last century. Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in Africa at 5895 metres, high enough for snow and ice to remain year-round despite its equatorial location.

Snow on Mount Kilimanjaro, 1993

Snow on Mount Kilimanjaro, 2000

Snow on Mount Kilimanjaro, 2002

Lake Chad's disappearance over 34 years

Lake Chad, located in the Sahel region just south of the Sahara, was the fourth largest lake in Africa in the 1960s, with an area of more than 26,000 square kilometres. However, by the 21st century it had shrunk to less than 1,500 square kilometres, around a twentieth of its size. This is due to its increased use for irrigation combined with droughts.

Lake Chad Landsat 1 (1973)

Lake Chad Landsat 7 (2007)

Dry farmland during drought

Dry farmland during drought. Close-up of earth on a farm that has dried out and cracked during a sustained drought. Photographed near Malmesbury, Western Cape, South Africa, in 2016

Drought sign, South Africa

Sign by the side of a road asking people to save water during a drought. Photographed in Moorreesburg, Western Cape, South Africa.

Deep Sea Mining

Deep-sea mining is the process of extracting and often excavating mineral deposits from the deep seabed (Ocean depths greater than 200m). The deep sea remains understudied, poorly understood, and difficult to put adequate safeguards in place to protect the marine environment, yet by May 2022, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the regulator of activities in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction had issued 31 contracts to explore deep-sea mineral deposits.

Oil rig. Eirik Raude deep water offshore drilling platform moored off Cape Town, South Africa, at sunset

One Health

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

One Health recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent.

One Health recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent.

Western Gorilla severed and smoked hands and feet
Hunter with gun near Dead Crowned monkey
Ebolavirus entering a cell
Ebola virus
Brucella bacteria, animation
Rabies virus particle, animation

Western Gorilla severed and smoked hands and feet

Smoking is the usual method used for preserving forest meat, allowing suppliers enough time to get produce to market for sale as 'bushmeat'. Primates of all species constitute part of the five (5) million tons of bush meat eaten in the Congo Basin each year. Bayanga, Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic.

Hunter with gun near Dead Crowned monkey Caught for bush meat trade near Mbomo village, Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo, May 2005

Ebolavirus entering a cell

Animation of an Ebolavirus particle being taken into a cell. Ebolavirus causes the deadly disease Ebola haemorrhagic fever..

Ebola virus

Camera zooms into colorized SEM image showing numerous filamentous Ebola virus particles (blue) budding from a cultured cell (yellow-green). Ebola is a deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus species.

Brucella bacteria, animation

Brucella is a small Gram-negative bacterium that lives inside cells in its host. This is the cause of the disease brucellosis, a disease typically caught from infected livestock. It causes a recurring fever, joint pain, fatigue, and foul-smelling sweat. It can be fatal if left untreated.

Rabies virus particle, animation

Rabies virus primarily infects animals but can be transmitted to humans.. Infection in humans can be fatal, though modern vaccines are effective if taken within the incubation period of the virus.

Hippopotamus ecological impact, artwork

Illustration of an African river ecosystem, showing the impact of the herbivorous mammal the hippopotamus. Their grazing creates areas that allow other animals to graze such as antelopes. The waterways and rivers they inhabit also benefit from the faeces they deposit (lower right). The nutrients from the plant material in their faeces support various food chains (circular insets at lower left), including microbes, plankton and aquatic insects and crustaceans. These are eaten by birds (one at upper left) and by fish, which are in turn caught by birds of prey, humans, and predatory reptiles.

Hippopotamus ecological impact, artwork

COVID – 19

COVID-19 has challenged healthcare systems, public health infrastructure, and governments worldwide, resulting in unprecedented levels of global cooperation and innovation to combat the virus.   

COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, has been recognized as the pandemic of the century due to its widespread and devastating impact on the world's population.

COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, has been recognized as the pandemic of the century due to its widespread and devastating impact on the world's population.

Malaria

Is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

There are four (4) parasite species that cause malaria in humans. Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent in Africa.

There are four (4) parasite species that cause malaria in humans. Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent in Africa.

Mosquito larvae (C031/0112)
Malaria mosquito larva, light microscopy
Malaria mosquito biting human skin
Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes after feeding
Stop Malaria sign, Ganta, Liberia
Blood tests for malaria, Malawi, 2015
Examining blood samples for malaria

Mosquito larvae at water surface.

Malaria mosquito larva, light microscopy

Malaria mosquito larva. Light microscopy footage of the aquatic larva of the mosquito Anopheles stephensi, an important vector of malaria. The larva is using its mouthparts to filter food from the water.

Malaria mosquito biting human skin

Close-up of a malaria mosquito (Anopheles) biting human skin and drinking blood. It excretes some digested blood at the end of the clip. Malaria is spread by the bites of infected mosquitos, leading to millions of deaths each year. Filmed in Ethiopia

Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes after feeding

These female mosquitoes have fed on blood.. A droplet of blood is expelled from the distal tip of the abdomen to relieve the pressure. A. gambiae is found in Africa, where the female mosquitoes are a vector for the Plasmodium protozoa that causes malaria. Photographed in a research laboratory.

Stop Malaria sign

Blood tests for malaria, Malawi, 2015.

A Medecins Sans Frontieres clinic in Makhanga with anti-malarial drugs to treat local people as a result of the drying up flood waters providing ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Examining blood samples for malaria

Examining blood samples for malaria using a light microscope. Malaria is a severe disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans by blood-feeding Anopheles mosquitoes. It is particularly prevalent in tropical areas of the world. Filmed in Nigeria.

Malaria parasites, microscopy

Light microscope video of malaria parasites (Plasmodium sp.). These organisms are spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes. Filmed in a research laboratory in Ethiopia

Plasmodium malariae inside red blood cell, illustration

illustration shows the size, shape, and structure of P. malariae (species of malaria parasite) in the early trophozoite stage. usually associated with development of a disease.

Community drug distribution

To treat river blindness, or onchocerciasis, and malaria. River blindness is caused by the larvae of the parasitic roundworm Onchocerca volvulus, which is transmitted to humans via the bites of infected Simulium sp. black flies.

Insecticide used to reduce malaria transmission

This footage is part of research into the use of biodegradable pyrethroid insecticide on bed nets to reduce the transmission of malaria..

Hanging bed nets to prevent malaria, Ethiopia

Hanging nets over beds protects people from being bitten by mosquitoes while sleeping. Widespread netting has been shown to be a simple and cheap way to reduce transmission.

Bed net use to reduce malaria transmission

Malaria vaccine research

Cage containing Anopheles sp. mosquitoes being bred at a bio-medical research facility in order to help develop an anti-malaria vaccine. Photographed at the Pasteur Institute, Paris, France

Neuroscience

Is the science of the brain and the nervous system. The field of neuroscience remains largely dominated by industrialized nations, but Africa presents unique opportunities and can make significant contributions to global research in this space.

Overall, populations in Africa have the greatest genetic diversity with important implications for understanding human diseases (including neurological disorders), live in diverse eco systems, and face unique stresses to brain health and development.

Overall, populations in Africa have the greatest genetic diversity with important implications for understanding human diseases (including neurological disorders), live in diverse eco systems, and face unique stresses to brain health and development.

Neuromuscular junctions
Thrombotic stroke pathology
Smiling boy

Neuromuscular junctions

Animation showing neuromuscular junctions. These are connection points between nerve cells know as motor neurons, and a muscle, and allow nerves to pass signals to the muscle to contract. Nerve signals (green) are transmitted from the nerves to the muscle tissue (pink) by the release of a substance known as a neurotransmitter. In this case the neurotransmitter is the chemical acetylcholine. This signal causes the muscle to contract.”

Thrombotic stroke pathology

Animation showing how a blood clot can develop in an artery, blocking blood flow to part of the brain and causing a stroke. We zoom in to a healthy brain, showing an artery (red) amongst millions of nerve cells (yellow). The artery opens to show normal blood flow. If the blood has a high level of a substance called low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, brown dots), white blood cells in the lining of the artery may take in too much of it, turning them into "foam cells". These may rupture and form a clump of fat and dead cells, called atheroma. As the clump grows it narrows the artery, restricting blood flow. This can prompt the growth of a blood clot, as small blood cell fragments called platelets (grey) build up and trap blood cells, blocking the artery altogether. Brain cells die (black) due to a lack of oxygen, which in turn can cause the death of a substantial part of the brain. The symptoms of a stroke depend on the part of the brain affected, and can include partial paralysis, speech abnormalities and facial muscle weakness.”

Smiling boy

Smiling boy. Photographed at Cecilia's School of Good Hope, Monze, Zambia. The school is supported by PEPAIDS, an organisation which provides health services, community education and training to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS in Zambia.

Mental Health

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well, and work well, and contribute to their community. (WHO)

Poor mental health reflects through illnesses such as anxiety, depression, addiction, suicide, psychosis, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. In Africa, mental illness is still highly stigmatized and health services are poorly developed.

Poor mental health reflects through illnesses such as anxiety, depression, addiction, suicide, psychosis, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. In Africa, mental illness is still highly stigmatized and health services are poorly developed.

The Africa we Aspire for & work to contribute towards

Is a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development (Africa Union, Agenda 2063 – Aspiration 1)

Is a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development (Africa Union, Agenda 2063 – Aspiration 1)

In addition, we aspire for a continent that is resilient to the impact of climate change, with strategies in place to mitigate its effects on the health and wellbeing of its people.

A critical mass of scientists supported to stay and work on the continent. Scientist in hijab filling pipette tray at fume hood (F032/5434)
Safe, available, accessible, and affordable medicines. Medicine in Africa (C026/8882)
A sustainable planet Great Green Wall construction, Senegal (C028/4149)
Food security
Inspiring young minds
Group of school children standing outside (F034/2216)
Happy friends hanging out and hugging (F031/2079)

Disclaimer: The images used on this website belong to Science Photo Library and are used solely for illustrative purposes. We do not claim ownership or copyright over these images. All visual content is the property of the respective owners.