‘One Island – Many Visions’ is a Portland Sculpture & Quarry Trust collaboration with the Royal Society of Sculptors. It involves 27 artists’ residencies and research outcomes over 18 months, culminating in an exhibition, symposium and community events running from 6 September to 31 October 2025.
Probiotic Fossils – Tiny Builders of the Natural World
Jane Fox is growing biodegradable fossils using probiotic microbial cellulose and kelp. The fossils are inspired by the Stromatolite Fossils (layered rocks) at Portland. Stromatolites are constructed by the salivary secretions of Cyanobacteria.
The vital nature of Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria are identified in SCOBY (Symbiotic Colonies of Bacteria and Yeasts). The SCOBY ferments tea and sugar to produce the microbial cellulose in a self-contained ecosystem. Cyanobacteria is ubiquitous and constructs the world’s ecosystems, including coral reefs, and helps to to maintain homeostasis.
Similar to Stromatolites, the probiotic microbial cellulose grows in layers from microbial by-products. Today the cellulose is used in several fields, including surgery, pharmaceuticals and clothing – and is regarded as a valuable material.
Research
In 2023, Jane’s research using the probiotic microbial cellulose was accepted into the ‘Future Materials Bank’ at the Jan Van Eyck Academie in Maastrich. This is a resource bank sharing non-toxic materials for Art and Design. The microbial cellulose is a smart, bacterial, bioplastic, recyclable and regenerative material. Jane is specifically fermenting and harvesting the cellulose for its potential as a sustainable material for sculpture and to date, has made a collection of sculpture. She is particularly excited by the potential for breathing-in probiotics from sculptural forms in space; and for the treatment of burns and wound healing and so, in time we will see exciting developments within architectural living spaces and medicine.
https://www.futurematerialsbank.com/material/scoby-3/
Research images – tests with spirulina (cyanobacteria)
One Island – Many Visions exhibition images
A variety of materials
Here are sculptures made with probiotic microbial cellulose, kelp and mycelium inoculated straw.
A Collaboration
Royal Society of Sculptors members are working collaboratively with PSQT Living Land Archive Project. This is for the regeneration of quarry landscapes alongside members of the Portland community.
Further information on the process of fermenting the microbial cellulose
Fermenting Scobys (Symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeasts)