Deciphering The Nature of Cardiokines

About the project
"Deciphering The Nature of Cardiokines" is a collaborative art-science project that originated from the University of Arizona's "Artist + Researcher" exhibition, which paired artist Alexandra Bowers with cardiovascular researcher Dr. Shirin Doroudgar. The project aimed to translate the complex scientific language of heart-derived cellular communication (cardiokines) into an accessible visual narrative. It explored how conversation can bridge disparate fields of understanding, using art as a medium to demystify advanced scientific concepts and highlight the interconnectedness of biological systems.

Medium: Pyrography (Wood Burning) and Water Soluble Wax Pigment
Retail cost: $10,000
Behind the work
The project centered on Dr. Doroudgar’s research into cardiokines, signaling molecules the heart uses to communicate with other organs. Bowers interpreted this cellular dialogue through the symbolic use of the "Queen of the Night" (Peniocereus Greggii) cactus flower, which blooms in a highly synchronized, one-night-only event, mirroring the coordinated communication within the body. The resulting art pieces provided both a literal and a symbolic representation of these biological systems, offering a unique visual lexicon to explain how the heart maintains systemic health or contributes to disease states. The work was displayed as part of the exhibition, emphasizing the intersection of scientific inquiry and artistic expression.







