BIO

Kim Moss is an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Visual Culture at Iowa State University and Coordinator of the Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration Program.

She earned a BFA degree with a concentration in scientific illustration at St. Olaf College and an MFA degree in medical and biological illustration at the University of Michigan.

Statement

Art is a lens I use to connect with, investigate, and document the natural world and biological processes. I am driven to notice details and relate the macro- and microscopic elements that are tied to the human experience. In each of us is an innate sense of wonder that visual material can unlock and reignite while simultaneously providing new windows of discovery and meaning. I create because I also want to share and impress upon the viewer the elements that are important to a sustainable future, that are ephemeral and in need of care in the natural world and living systems. Observation is integral in my process; careful looking unveils new information, new inquiries, and relationships—hidden details come to life. My process is intimate, labor-intensive, serious, and personal. My art is also a vehicle I employ to unfold and re-envision scientific content so that it may become educational, accessible, and meaningful to others. I intend to bring into focus what should not be missed; instead, the subjects of my art should be contemplated, valued, or protected.

In this context, I practice in a fluid spectrum of techniques, activities, and outlets that blend science and art. This encompasses applied and fine art as well as the areas where they interconnect. I am fascinated with the idea that even the most truthful representations are still an abstraction of what is seen. Extreme focus can seem like removal from the truth by isolating forms, colors, and vertices. An abstraction can pull away from a literal interpretation, but it can also provide a mechanism for getting closer to and extending the content into new avenues of thought. At a root level, I want to draw the viewer into the subject much like I am drawn in—to compel one to reflect on its meaning, to find personal connections there, and to appreciate the interrelatedness and complexity of what is shown. Ultimately, I hope to motivate the viewer to take what is communicated further, whether it promotes healthy lifestyle choices and reflection on one’s life and decisions, care for delicate ecosystems, engagement as a citizen scientist, learning through art, or to discover new meaning in research.