The Womb Garden – an art–science collaboration with Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge

 

Kelly Zou

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This work envisions pregnancy as a “womb garden,” where immune cells take on distinct roles in nurturing and protecting life. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells appear as both gardeners and defenders, cultivating a supportive environment while responding to potential threat. Maternal macrophages (PAMM1a and PAMM1b) remain at the boundary of the placenta, vigilant and protective, while Hofbauer cells (HBC) inhabit the villi, sustaining growth from within. T cells act as regulators, maintaining balance across the system.

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Inspired by the branching, tree-like structure of the placenta, the piece is constructed from collaged rice paper mounted on fabric. Its layered surfaces echo the fragile equilibrium of early life, where multiple processes unfold simultaneously.

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What began as sketches informed by scientific diagrams evolved into a poetic landscape. The immune cells are reimagined as characters with distinct gestures and roles, forming a visual narrative of care, coexistence, and balance.

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Developed in collaboration with a scientific team at the University of Cambridge, the work translates complex immunology into an accessible visual language, inviting viewers to consider the body as an environment shaped by both protection and nurture.

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Exhibited at the Cambridge Science Festival 2026.