Arts & Culture

Astrophysicist explores the interconnectedness of art and science

A new book by UC Santa Cruz astrophysicist and visual artist Nia Imara debuts tomorrow that explains the universe and traces how art has blended with science throughout human history.

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A new book by UC Santa Cruz astrophysicist and visual artist Nia Imara debuts tomorrow that explains the universe and traces how art has blended with science throughout human history. Painting the Cosmos is a rare work that reveals the cosmic connection between art, science, and humanity—citing examples ranging from the Great Pyramid of Giza, to seminal astronomer Johannes Kepler’s 17th century writings on how our solar system’s planets sing, to the starry quilts created by Black women during slavery that pointed the way to freedom.

At a time when art and science are treated as separate disciplines in society, Imara says we have much to gain by looking at them together. And she hopes her 288-page book will leave readers with a greater sense of our interconnectedness. “I hope this book sheds light on some of the fascinating ways in which scientists and artists understand the universe,” she writes. “My bigger hope is that it encourages a feeling of interconnectedness and unity—within ourselves, with one another, with the entire cosmos.”

An assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics, and a self-taught painter, Imara says her body of work reflects her love for vibrant color, people, and their stories. She was the first Black woman to receive a Ph.D. in astrophysics from UC Berkeley, and now at UC Santa Cruz, she investigates how stars are born in the Milky Way and other galaxies throughout the universe.

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Last modified: Apr 15, 2025