Meryl Donoghue, born in 1984 in Reading, UK, is an artist whose work exists at the intersection of mythology, science, and art. A graduate of Bath Spa University with first-class honours in Fine Art, Donoghue further refined her craft with a Master’s degree from the Slade School of Fine Art in London. Her unique practice combines traditional and contemporary techniques, offering a fresh perspective on timeless narratives and human emotion.

In her renowned Search for Behemoth series, Donoghue reimagines the mythological creature from the Book of Job. Collaborating with her sister, a forensic scientist, she analysed bones discovered in the Holy Land, reconstructing their potential arrangement if the creature were real. Donoghue transformed these relics into intricate prints rendered in deep Prussian blue, capturing both scientific precision and artistic imagination. To achieve this, she meticulously scanned the bones using an analogue photo scanner countless times, creating detailed 3D scans of the fragments. These scans were then printed onto paper and intricately collaged, woven together using the same technique she employs in many of her large-scale cyanotype works. The result is a seamless blend of myth and reality, breathing new life into ancient relics through her ethereal sculptures and cyan-blue collaged prints.

Another of her celebrated works, the diptych Bury the Living, Raise the Dead, exemplifies Donoghue’s ability to explore themes of life, death, and rebirth. Layering taxidermy, cyanotype photography, and digital processes, she juxtaposes the foxglove plant—both toxic and medicinal—with the remains of a fox, creating a narrative about the delicate balance between destruction and healing. This piece pays homage to 19th-century botanist and photographer Anna Atkins, echoing Atkins’ pioneering cyanotypes while reinterpreting them through Donoghue’s contemporary lens.

Donoghue’s work often embodies dualities—life and death, isolation and connection, danger and healing—inviting viewers into a dialogue about the fragility and resilience of existence. Her ability to merge folklore, forensic science, and fine art has earned her international acclaim, with her works housed in prestigious collections such as the Dubai Farook collection. She has also been recognised with awards including the Julian Sullivan Award and the AHRC Block Grant.

Her solo exhibitions, such as East of the Garden at StolenSpace Gallery and Merry-go at KochXBos Gallery, have received critical acclaim. Her participation in group shows, including the recent Extensions of the Soul, further highlights her versatility and depth as an artist.

Meryl Donoghue’s art is more than a visual experience—it is an invitation to explore the intersections of science, mythology, and the human condition, creating profound narratives that resonate deeply with her audience.