Contemporary Artist and Research Scientist

About

Cornelia is a contemporary visual artist based near Edinburgh, Scotland. As both a research scientist and artist, their work brings together conservation biology and abstract expressionism, exploring the fragile and complex relationships between humans and nature. Their background in genetics, particularly in studying rare and endangered species, deeply informs their artistic practice. Their paintings are a response to climate change, biodiversity loss, and the resilience of the ecosystems they have studied, serving as a way to process their emotions.

Cornelia uses layered textures, gestural mark-making, and dynamic movement to capture the fleeting essence of landscapes and ecosystems, blending abstraction with environmental storytelling. Through their work, they aim to spark dialogue between science and art, inviting viewers to reflect on their own connection to nature. By evoking beauty, complexity, and loss, they hope to deepen awareness of our collective impact on the natural world.

As a non-binary and neurodivergent artist who has struggled with mental health issues and finding their place in society, Cornelia’s work also reflects the deeply restorative power of nature and the refuge it can provide. They explore how landscapes and ecosystems can bring healing and connection, even as human activity threatens their existence. This duality—nature as both sanctuary and victim—also drives their artistic practice, creating a dialogue about resilience, loss, and our intrinsic ties to the natural world.