‘Starry Night’ recreated with bacteria in a petri dish ‘Photo’

When you think of bacteria, you don’t usually think of art. In this case, though, one microbiologist has created Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in petri dishes with the help of bacteria.

Melanie Sullivan’s recreation of the painting, however, is not made with paint. Rather, it was drawn with a substance not really (ever) used for illustrating: bacteria.

This year, the American Society for Microbiology held its first ever Agar Art contest, inviting microbiologists to use bacteria, proteins, and yeasts to create gallery-worthy works of art, each of which must exist inside a petri dish.

While some competitors created flowers, flags, sea creatures, and even a Minion, Sullivan went for one of the world’s most iconic artist’s most famous magnum opus. No big deal.

Here’s the funny thing though: Sullivan didn’t even win. She didn’t even place in the top three. Perhaps, like Van Gogh, her artistic work will go criminally under appreciated during her creative prime. Sigh.

Agencies/Canadajournal