Erosion by Tamsin van Essen. Who knew parasitic invasion could be so beautiful?

van Essen on her project:

This work explores erosion and the disruption of form. Focusing on biological erosion, I wanted to convey the idea of a host being attacked and eaten away by a parasitic virus, highlighting the creeping spread of the infection as it corrupts the body. I have produced a series of angular porcelain forms, sandblasted to wear the surface and reveal inner strata. This aggressive process, contrarily, creates a delicate vulnerability in the shape. The translucency of the porcelain and the interruption of the surface make it possible to glimpse through to layers beneath, creating a tension between the seen and the obscured.

Fractals, Parasites and 3-D Reconstructions: 18 Startling Science Images is a Scientific American gallery of winners of the Czech “Science Is Beautiful” contest. Check it out to see more startlingly beautiful images like these.