An exhibition showcasing the creative and scientific thinking of first-year neuroscience students at The University of Western Australia returns next week.

Launched last year, Neuro Nouveau: when art meets science exhibition features artworks produced for the Neuroscience in Society unit (NEUR1001), highlighting how creative expression can be used to communicate complex brain mechanisms with scientific rigour.

NEUR1001 breaks down the boundaries between art and science in a major assignment where students explore neuroscience mechanisms through a creative medium.

Selected pieces will be exhibited with accompanying text outlining the neuroscience mechanism that is represented and the inspiration behind each work.

Professor Jenny Rodger, NEUR1001 unit coordinator and Head of Brain Plasticity Research at Perron Institute and UWA, said 26 student works would be featured this year.

“Topics explored include Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, neurotransmitter release, glutamate synthesis, action potentials, circadian rhythms and caffeine, dopamine and love, stress and memory,” Professor Rodger said.

“Students were adventurous in the types of work they created. Alongside visual artworks, we have video and music pieces, a sculpture, two poems, two textile works, and a board game set out for visitors to play.

“All members of the community are welcome to explore the creativity of UWA students and discover new ways of seeing the brain.”

The exhibition runs over the weekend of March 21 and 22, from 11am to 4pm, at Forrest Hall in Crawley. Admission is free.

Sponsored by Perron Institute and Forrest Research Foundation, the exhibition is held during Brain Awareness Week (March 16 – 22) and coincides with UWA Open Day on Sunday 22 March.