One of the world’s leading subatomic physics laboratories is opening itself up to artistic interpretation once again, this time welcoming Emily Carr alumnus Blaine Campbell to fill its position as artist in residence.

TRIUMF’s Vancouver lab, situated on the UBC campus, started its artist in residence program in 2009 in association with ECIAD, as an extension of its outreach and education programs.

Not only is TRIUMF Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics; it is also home to the world’s largest cyclotron, a particle accelerator commissioned by then-Prime Minster Pierre Elliott Trudeau in 1976.

Campbell, who holds degrees in both mathematics and fine arts, plans to use a variety of mediums over the course of his residency, including large format photography, video, and sculpture to document TRIUMF’s research in ways that make it more accessible to external audiences. 

“This project realizes a long-standing interest in questions related to quantum mechanics, astrophysics, and the processes by which abstract ideas are conceived and made manifest. I will engage in a series of visits to TRIUMF, speaking with researchers and staff, touring the facilities, and developing a series of new works,” says Campbell in his artist statement. 

One of his first works to come out of the residency, Black Hole Sun, a kaleidoscopic stained-glass piece, is composed of images from the Hubble Telescope archive. It was created with fellow artist Scott Massey and it is currently on display at Republic Gallery (732 Richards Street).

Campbell is also currently utilizing large format photography to study TRIUMF’s beam-line detectors, which are used in experiments involving particle physics.

“These detectors are, in a sense, cameras themselves and therefore nicely parallel a core component of my artistic practice,” says Campbell.

Campbell began his residence in November 2015, and will continue to document TRIUMF's work until Spring 2017.