In 2011 and 2015 I traveled to Antarctica with biologist Dr. Sam Bowser to assist his scientific research and dive teams. The paintings here were inspired by those months living in Antarctica. As a Field Assistant I helped create and maintain dive holes near our field camp, located off the frozen shore of New Harbor, at the base of Antarctica’s Taylor Dry Valley. The team’s scuba divers entered the ocean through these holes, through 12’ of sea ice, to collect specimens of foraminifera living on the sea floor. Foraminifera are fascinating single-celled marine organisms that Dr. Bowser has been studying for over 30 years.
As a dive-tender, I spent many hours looking at these dive holes – often intensely, anticipating air bubbles that signaled the safe return of our scuba divers. When they finally surfaced, I would take hold of their dive equipment and specimens, and then assist them in exiting the hole.
This, and so much from these two expeditions, were unique and intense experiences. Inevitably these dark blue holes made a mark in my memory, and found their way into my paintings.
Web Links / Reviews related to Antarctica Trips:
• Numero Cinq What it’s like living in Antarctica—from Laura Von Rosk at McMurdo Station
• Numero CinqMore Adventures at the Bottom of the World, Laura Von Rosk Reports from Antarctica
• Hilary Hudson’s Short Film, March 2013: No Expectations: Art and Science Collaboration in Antarctica
• The Crux: Science Meets Art in Antarctica, an Interview with Scientist Sam Bowser and Artist Laura Von Rosk
• The Antarctica Sun: Evolutionary Insight
• The Daily Gazette: Images of Antarctica Stick with Artist
• Post Star, Glens Falls, NY, March 24, 2013: Schroon Lake Artist to Showcase work from Antarctica
• Adirondack.net, March 2013: 10 Questions for Laura Von Rosk
• NCPR interviews Sam Bowser and Laura Von Rosk: Exploring Art & Science at the Bottom of the World
• NPR’s Science Friday blog: Science and Art in Antarctica
• Lake George Mirror, Lake George, NY: An Artist Encounters Antarctica
• The Times Union, Albany, NY: In Antarctica, a meeting place of art and science
Laura Von Rosk 