Visualizing Insights: The Art of Data Representation

The Intersection of Art and Data

Rebecca Kaya, a mathematician-turned-artist, uses data to create striking screen prints that bring the natural world to life.

With a background in mathematics and design, Rebecca Kaya turns her idle thoughts while cycling into beautiful prints. Her art is a fusion of hard data and clever design, often beginning with observations outside in nature. She finds inspiration in the patterns of leaves, the unique flashing patterns of ‘lighthouses‘, or the growth rings of weather patterns.

From Data to Art

Kaya’s creative process begins with a curious thought – how do tide times change around the coast, where do oxeye daisies grow across the UK, or how do the unique flashing patterns of lighthouses differ? She then embarks on a hunt for data, reviewing records from various sources such as the Meteorological Office. Her recent question, ‘Is it always raining somewhere in the UK?’, led her to review 130 years of records, resulting in the perhaps unsurprising discovery that yes, it usually is.

Bringing Data to Life

Once Kaya has an idea and gathered data, she sketches out a visual design on paper. She then uses computer formulas to sculpt the data into her design, merging information and form into a single piece that tells a story. The final result is a finished design that is screenprinted by hand.

A Storytelling Process

Kaya’s process involves a delicate balance between art and science. Her prints aim to capture the beauty of data-driven insights, making complex information accessible and engaging. With each print, she shares her passion for mathematics and design, turning idle thoughts into something beautiful and meaningful.