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Emily Mulvaney, a Master of Fine Arts student at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, has spent about a third of her time in the microbiology lab. This might be expected for a science scholar, but it’s quite unusual for a studio arts graduate student. For Mulvaney, however, the biological ecosystems she observes under the microscope inspire her larger-than-life sculptures, which abstractly represent the bacteria within the human body.

“The sculptures end up being odes to the bacteria that I share my body with,” says Mulvaney, who will graduate with an MFA from UM on May 11.

Mulvaney’s journey intertwines science and art, reflecting her deep curiosity and creativity in both fields. Initially a nursing student at North Dakota State University, she later switched to fine arts. At UM, she found a way to integrate both disciplines into her artistic practice, using science as a foundation.

“My whole life was kind of severed between art and science,” Mulvaney says. “I merged these two things that always lived in their own space in my life. I’ve never felt more connected to my practice.”

Mulvaney was drawn to UM due to its status as a research-focused R1 university, offering both an exceptional arts education and hands-on lab experience. Her artistic vision led her to reach out to Mike Minnick, a professor of cellular, molecular, and microbial biology at UM. Intrigued by the unusual request from an artist, Minnick agreed to meet her.

“The science world at UM and the art world, they’re both pretty prominent, yet they don’t interdigitate,” Minnick says. “Emily, just out of the blue, emailed me.”

During their first meeting in his lab, Minnick was struck by Mulvaney’s enthusiasm as she examined a swab of her mouth under the microscope. Her excitement translated into sculptural interpretations of the bacteria she observed, surprising even Minnick with her unique artistic vision.

“I thought, ‘Wow, I wish all grad Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ were this eager,’” Minnick says. “The next thing I knew, she had these sculptural interpretations of the things she saw in the microscope. Things I never would have imagined she saw.”

Under Minnick’s guidance, Mulvaney refined her scientific and artistic processes, harvesting and growing bacteria samples from various parts of her body. Despite being new to microbial techniques, she displayed a natural aptitude for the work.

“Emily had very good hands, and it makes sense because she’s a sculptor,” Minnick says. “She could have been a scientist, had she chosen that route.”

Their collaboration proved mutually beneficial, with Minnick gaining new perspectives on long-standing procedures and practices. This synergy led Mulvaney to ask Minnick to serve on her MFA thesis committee – a first for the microbiology professor.

“One time Mike said working with me was like being in the Twilight Zone,” Mulvaney says with a laugh.

Mulvaney’s work culminated in a gallery thesis show featuring human-sized sculptures inspired by her microbial observations. Using diverse materials like wax, paper, plastic, and fabric, she created visceral pieces that elicited strong reactions from viewers.

“A lot of my work is really visceral. Talking about bacteria, there’s already this disgust element or discomfort that happens,” she says. “I saw a lot of people really investigating the work and making kind of gross faces.”

Far from being discouraged, Mulvaney relished these reactions, seeing them as a sign of successful engagement with her audience.

“I love that. It means I’m getting a reaction from something I made, and that’s really exciting,” she says.

Dr. Minnick appreciated the scientific accuracy of Mulvaney’s sculptures, noting their blend of anatomy and horror. “It was the most unique perspective on lab work that I’ve ever seen. I really enjoyed walking around.”

After graduation, Mulvaney will complete UM’s Museum Studies certificate and continue her work as a curatorial assistant at the Montana Museum of Art and Culture. She also looks forward to being an Open AIR artist in residence at UM’s Flathead Lake Biological Station, where she plans to expand her work to include microorganisms found in water and other environments.

Her unique journey at UM underscores the university’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative research. Aspiring Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ interested in exploring the intersection of art and science will find unparalleled opportunities at UM to merge their passions and make groundbreaking contributions.

“She shows you can be a renaissance man or woman and try something new,” Minnick says. “It does take courage to do that, and it’s inspiring to others.”

Join the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ and explore your potential in a dynamic and supportive environment, where art and science converge to create extraordinary opportunities for discovery and innovation.

See more about this fascinating story by checking out this article at umt.edu.