The Neuroscience of Art with Dr Fatima M Felisberti

Have you ever marveled at how a simple image on paper or canvas can stir your deepest emotions—making you smile, bringing tears to your eyes, or transporting you to another world? How a single image can awaken long-forgotten memories? And why humans have been creating art for tens of thousands of years, from the cave paintings of Chauvet and Altamira to the masterpieces of today?

In this talk, we’ll explore the fascinating world of the neuroscience of art—unpacking what happens in our brains when we engage with paintings, photographs, and sculptures. Together, we’ll delve into how visual processing works—examining colour, motion, and eye movements—as well as the powerful interplay between emotions, perception, and mental imagery. We’ll also dive into optical illusions, light adaptation, and even engage in a bit of doodling.

Join us as we unravel the mysteries of how art moves us, shapes us, and connects us—not just to the world around us, but to the deepest parts of ourselves.

Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!

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Dr Fatima M Felisberti is a visiting associate professor at the University of Bristol and she has lead the Art, Cognition, and Emotion laboratory for almost two decades. She is a cognitive neuroscientist investigating visual perception, emotions, and mental imagery. She holds PhDs in both Biological Cybernetics and Neuroscience. Her recent research delves into how senses, our emotional states and our capacity for imaginative engagement influence our perceptions of art and nature. She is intrigued by the ways in which artists leverage their understanding of human senses and behaviours to enhance viewer engagement with their work. Dr Felisberti has collaborated extensively with art institutions such as Stanley Picker Gallery, Southbank Centre-Hayward Gallery, The Cultural Capital Exchange in the UK and various international research organisations.

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This talk is 18+