Misbah Arif, New Hall (1999) from the Viewing the Invisible series: Science Educator
Built up through a series of broken brushwork and colour notes, this painting finds the balance in the portrait with a striking blue headscarf and red top. The portrait depicts science education academic and secondary school teacher Misbah Arif by artist Ann Witheridge as part of the Viewing the Invisible project at Kings College London and London Fine Art Studios, with the support of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). This series, initiated by Rivka Isaacson, brought together scientists and artists to explore the similarities in their working methods. Identifying their parallel interests in demystifying the human form, this project challenged the idea that science and art exist at polar ends of a spectrum. Viewing the Invisible explored how scientists and artists can support each other in disseminating research and enriching creativity.
Watch a five-minute video of the portrait being painted and conversation between Misbah and Ann: