Microscopic Grains Of Sand In Covent Garden

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 106 months ago
Microscopic Grains Of Sand In Covent Garden
A collection of sand particles from around the world capture the diversity across samples in one image. Copyright Jenny Natusch.
A collection of sand particles from around the world capture the diversity across samples in one image. Copyright Jenny Natusch.
These grains from Japan appear to be holding hands. Copyright Jenny Natusch
These grains from Japan appear to be holding hands. Copyright Jenny Natusch
Volcanic sand from Krakatoa. Copyright Jenny Natusch
Volcanic sand from Krakatoa. Copyright Jenny Natusch
A chilly Antarctic sample. Copyright Jenny Natusch
A chilly Antarctic sample. Copyright Jenny Natusch
A more local grain from Morecambe. Copyright Jenny Natusch
A more local grain from Morecambe. Copyright Jenny Natusch
Hieroglyphics? Nope, just a close up of a New Zealand grain. Copyright Jenny Natusch
Hieroglyphics? Nope, just a close up of a New Zealand grain. Copyright Jenny Natusch

Sand is seen as a pretty universal substance that comes in shades of yellow, brown or white in more exotic locales. But the look of sand is completely changed when individual grains are observed through a microscope.

Sand is incredibly diverse up close and this Covent Garden exhibition, with specimens from across the world by microphotographer Jenny Natusch, includes some of the images she's captured of different samples.

Even the grains from the UK are different to expectations, and one grain from Tauranga in New Zealand looks like it's covered with symbols — akin to a Rosetta stone in extreme miniature.

Prints and the original grains of sand are for sale, all the proceeds from the sand sold will go towards buying breaks for families who can't afford to go the seaside, so that many children can go to a beach for the very first time. A good cause and some impressive microphotography makes for a great combination and a fascinating exhibition.

Sandgazer is on at The Gallery Print Centre, 81 Endell Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9AJ until 10 July. Entrance is free and the exhibition is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm.

Last Updated 14 June 2015