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A colourful, abstract illustration of organic, cell-like shapes. The forms are filled with intricate, swirling patterns and textures in shades of purple, yellow, blue and red.

Art: Jonathan McCabe turns Alan Turing’s theories into hypnotic, mesmerizing art

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Date
23 May 2014

The only thing I remember from biology classes is gazing with wonder at the pictures of cells and membranes, and marvelling at the idea that such incredible patterns form randomly in nature. Generative artist Jonathan McCabe was clearly mesmerised in the same way: using Alan Turings theories of morphology he has created his own intricate designs, which are far more psychedelic than anything I ever saw in my bio textbook.

It is difficult to look away from Jonathan’s self-organising patterns, especially the animations which inflate and continually mutate, and look a little bit like that moment towards the end of 2001: A Space Odyssey when Dr. Bowman gets flung into an alien dimension. Mesmerising and trance-inducing art, which shows how patterns spectacularly emerge from randomness in nature.

An abstract digital composition of vibrant, undulating patterns. Symmetrical bands of swirling purple, green and red shapes create a psychedelic, organic texture.
Above

Jonathan McCabe: Untitled

An abstract illustration of swirling, organic shapes in vibrant shades of blue, green, yellow and purple. The composition is dense and fluid, featuring cellular patterns and concentric circles.
Above

Jonathan McCabe: Untitled

An abstract digital composition of vibrant, swirling colours and organic patterns. The image is divided into vertical bands of yellow, green and purple with fluid, cell-like shapes.
Above

Jonathan McCabe: Untitled

A colourful 3D render of organic, cell-like shapes in vibrant greens, purples and pinks. The forms are filled with smaller, bubble-like spheres and surrounded by intricate, swirling patterns.
Above

Jonathan McCabe: Untitled

A colourful, psychedelic illustration of organic, cell-like shapes. The forms are filled with intricate, swirling patterns and textures in vibrant shades of purple, yellow, blue and red.
Above

Jonathan McCabe: Untitled

A colourful, abstract 3D render of organic, cellular structures. A large, circular form filled with smaller spheres sits beside undulating, ribbon-like shapes in vibrant blues, greens and reds.
Above

Jonathan McCabe: Untitled

An abstract illustration of organic, cell-like shapes in shades of green, purple and gold. Several circular forms contain bold, wavy stripes, surrounded by intricate, textured patterns.
Above

Jonathan McCabe: Untitled

A 3D render of organic, cell-like structures in vibrant shades of pink, purple and green. Dark, swirling patterns are nestled inside the larger translucent forms.
An abstract digital composition of swirling, organic patterns. The image is split into vertical bands of vibrant blue, yellow and green with fluid, cell-like shapes.
Above

Jonathan McCabe: Untitled

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About the Author

Madeleine Morley

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