Nicole Condon-Shih (b.1979)
Blue Mountain 《蓝山》 (from the Crystal Lattice Series), 2016-2017
Materials: Giclée digital print on archival Hahnemühle paper, Edition 1 of 10, 40" x 40"
Location at Summa: Akron City Hospital, Ground Floor, Volunteer Services Office
About the Art
Nicole Condon-Shih’s Blue Mountain is a striking digital print that reflects her innovative approach to art and science. Inspired by her time in China, she explores the crystallization of materials used in traditional Chinese medicine. Working with locally sourced ingredients from Northeast Ohio, she integrates these natural substances with conventional pigments, allowing the crystallization process to unfold organically over months. The results are visually compelling compositions that blur the boundaries between the organic and inorganic.
This piece adheres to the format of the Petri dish, a fundamental tool in scientific research, reinforcing the connection between artistic creation and scientific experimentation. Throughout the crystallization process, Condon-Shih meticulously documents the transformation through photography and mapped drawings. She even exhibits the evolving Petri dishes as sculptural pieces, capturing the dynamic nature of the process.
Blue Mountain invites viewers to interpret its intricate forms; suggesting pine needles, spiky leaves, and perhaps the steep slope of a mountain. The interplay of natural references and abstract patterns underscores the artist’s intention to provoke thought on growth, space, and transformation. By embracing unpredictability and allowing natural forces to shape her work, Condon-Shih highlights the beauty and complexity of change over time.
Artists have long drawn inspiration from scientific discoveries, and Condon-Shih’s work continues this tradition. Just as science can fuel artistic innovation, her process reminds us that art can also illuminate and deepen our understanding of science. As both an artist and researcher, she embodies the spirit of discovery, demonstrating how creative and scientific inquiries are inherently connected.
Hidden Estrus, 2019
Materials: 30 fluorescent Plexiglas laser engravings encased in Petri dishes, each 5½” in diameter
Location at Summa: Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower, Akron Campus, second floor, outside patient rooms 202 and 203
About the Art
Nicole Condon-Shih’s Hidden Estrus is a striking exploration of biology, technology, and personal experience. This serial work consists of 30 laser engravings, arranged in a grid reminiscent of a calendar. Encased in Petri dishes, the engravings reference the scientific process, evoking the microscopic lens through which the artist studied her subject.
Condon-Shih investigates a fundamental biological phenomenon: the human female fertility cycle. The title, Hidden Estrus, refers to the lack of outward physical signs of fertility in human females, distinguishing them from many other mammals. The five black engravings among the fluorescent pink ones mark the fertile days of the cycle. Through this visual representation, the artist highlights the contrast between what is biologically significant yet remains invisible.
The artist’s process involved collecting her own saliva samples daily over a month and examining them under a microscope. She observed the emergence of delicate crystalline “ferning” patterns, which grew and spread across the slide before disappearing after a few days, signaling the end of the fertile period. The contrast between these ephemeral biological formations and their permanence in plexiglass captures both the beauty and transience of the reproductive cycle.
Condon-Shih translated her microscopic observations into digital drawings, which were then laser-engraved onto fluorescent Plexiglas and mounted within Petri dishes. This transformation from natural biological process to structured, archival artwork turns personal experience into a universal commentary on science, gender, and time.
Through Hidden Estrus, Condon-Shih raises profound questions: Why is human fertility hidden? How do we understand and visualize processes that shape life itself? The juxtaposition of science and art in this piece invites viewers to contemplate these questions while appreciating the intricate patterns that biology reveals. The work serves as a powerful reminder of the connection between scientific discovery, artistic interpretation, and personal experience.
About the Artist
Nicole Condon-Shih is an interdisciplinary artist whose work bridges the worlds of art and science. Rooted in exploration and discovery, her practice examines the intersection of microscopic and macroscopic systems; whether biological, cultural, or urban. Her unique approach draws inspiration from scientific methodologies, using specialized instruments such as microscopes and cameras to reveal hidden processes that shape our environment. Through this fusion of disciplines, Condon-Shih creates visually compelling works that engage audiences in deeper conversations about the world around them.
Her background reflects this interdisciplinary approach. Initially pursuing pre-med studies at Cornell University, she ultimately earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture, Art, and Planning. She later obtained an M.S. from Syracuse University and an M.F.A. from Hunter College of the City University of New York. Her artistic journey then took her to Beijing, where she spent eight years teaching at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, building an international studio practice, and immersing herself in the cultural and artistic landscape of China. Today, she continues her work both in Cleveland and Beijing, incorporating diverse perspectives into her teaching and creative practice.
Condon-Shih’s artwork spans painting, printmaking, photography, performance, video, and installation. Her work in the Summa Health Healing Arts Collection reflects the richness of her interdisciplinary practice, offering a dynamic interplay between scientific observation and artistic expression. Her ability to translate complex systems into visual narratives allows her art to resonate on both intellectual and deeply personal levels.
Where You Can See More of This Artist’s Work
Condon-Shih’s work has been exhibited internationally, including in Hong Kong and China, as well as in prominent institutions closer to home. In Ohio, her work has been showcased at SPACES Gallery, the Fuse Factory in Columbus, and the Cleveland Institute of Art. She has also completed commissioned works for Case Western Reserve University and Summa Health. Her artistic practice frequently addresses socio-economic and environmental concerns, using art as a platform for dialogue on issues such as urban growth, air pollution, and the built environment. Through these efforts, she fosters meaningful discussions with fellow educators, artists, and the broader community, reinforcing the power of art to inform, inspire, and heal. More information is available on her website.