Technological advancement alters our understanding of what is before our eyes.
THE WORLD IN BRUSH & PEN
Macro – Micro Connection
Hiroshi Shimazaki
Technological advancement alters our understanding of what is before our eyes.
The advent of the scanning electron microscope introduced a new way of seeing and imagining. Here, a SEM image of a mosquito’ s stinger is superimposed on my painting of the Panama Canal viewed from a Darien-bound, 4-seater plane.
Completion of the Panama Canal in 1914 was a phenomenal American achievement, following the earlier French abandonment of efforts due, in part, to high labour mortality. Imagine the hardship once faced by workers as they struggled to cope with mosquitoes carrying fatal diseases. A high-level lock system, sufficient financial resources, and eradication of disease-carrying mosquitoes made all the difference.
Macro-Micro Connection, Panama Canal Aerial View & Mosquito Stinger, Watercolour with SEM image insert, 2026, 34 x 31 cm
SEM image insert by Doug Bray
ARTA member Hiroshi Shimazaki is a geographer / artist who has been practising watercolour landscape sketching and painting for sixty years. Here he offers one window into an artist’ s mind.
SUMMER 2026 | 47