Polymers in Art Through the Centuries

Exhibition Website

Mar 4 2017 - Sep 3 2017

A polymer is any of various chemical compounds made of smaller, identical molecules, or monomers, linked together to form repeating structural units. Some polymers, like cellulose, occur naturally, while others, such as acrylic or nylon, are artificial. Using examples from the Art & Science Museum’s collection, this exhibition provides a broad overview of polymers found in some of the most common materials as well as unexpected substances used in the making of art throughout the centuries, ranging from Japanese lacquerware through oil paints to more recent inventions such as acrylic paint, Lucite, and plastics like Polylactic Acid (PLA) used in 3D printing. 

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website

  • Various artists

Exhibition Venues & Dates