Art of Vision is a thought-provoking and uplifting exhibition that combines art, mathematics, science,
and philosophy. It depicts the ‘interconnectedness’ of everything on earth from the smallest to the largest scale.

The work is a visual exploration into the compelling evidence that there are deterministic ordering principles that govern the universe and underpin nature’s patterning. These have been validated by complex
mathematical sequences and scientific investigations. Philosophically, it is where chaos (disorder), with its geometric ordering coded deeply within, self-organises into cosmos (order).

The Fibonacci sequence is one of the best-known examples of order in nature, where each number is
the sum of the two before it. This patterning can be seen within the cell’s DNA and in flower petal arrays.
It is essential for the survival of many organisms; for example, plants grow in this way to maximise light
capture, and the spider weaves a strong patterned web to catch prey.

Fractal dynamics are also at play within another aspect of the Fibonacci sequence known as the Mandelbrot Set, where infinitely complex rough patterns self-repeat at different scales. This type of geometry can be found in cloud formations, the branching of trees or in the neurons of our brains. Some scientists suggest that these fractal patterns may even power human consciousness.

Natural geometry is all around us and within us, and it is thought we possess a kind of innate fractal fluency because of a physiological synergy between geometric patterns and how the eye works. Being hardwired to process geometric patterns may predispose us to creating a corresponding kaleidoscope of patterns within the arts and built environment.

Artists and architects frequently use the Fibonacci sequence, more commonly known as the Golden Ratio,
to create harmony and functionality in their designs. From flower petal patterns influencing textile design to DNA-inspired computer graphics, the natural world’s geometry plays a key role in human creativity.

The exhibition also examines how humans and other species perceive the world differently. When light hits the retina, our photoreceptor cells turn it into electrical signals sent to the brain, whose evolutionary imperative it is to ‘fill in the gaps’. This interpretive process is shaped by our
own prior sensorial experiences, influencing what and how we see the world. Further, while humans perceive a limited spectrum of colours, some species see ultraviolet or infrared light. These factors make us philosophically question the very nature of reality itself.

Focusing on aesthetically pleasing geometry is a salutogenic approach to health, creating internal harmony
within the viewer and enhancing physical and emotional well-being. Research suggests that even viewing
photographs of nature can have a powerful effect on our mental and physical health, making such art particularly valuable in public spaces.

Art of Vision is the creation of Consultant Ophthamologist Masoud Teimory at Southlands Eyecare in Shoreham
and St Richards Eyecare in Chichester, part of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. It includes his own photographs and those of external artists.

The President of the Royal College of Ophthamologists, Professor Bernard Chang, formally opened the exhibition in October 2022.