Gayle Chong Kwan has been commissioned by Edinburgh Science Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival and Scottish International Storytelling Festival to create an art piece that brings together contemporary sculpture and reflections on science’s cultural legacy with the theme Rethinking Scientific Histories.

The large-scale installation will explore how science has been communicated, preserved and politicised, and give physical form to the stories that shape our understanding of knowledge and discovery. This is a call to rethink science’s stories and reframe who gets to be remembered.

Artist Chong Kwan will research scientific artefacts and archival documents from several collections, including the Wellcome Collection and the National Museum of Scotland, and engage with researchers, curators and communities.

The installation will be displayed in the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland during the Edinburgh Science Festival, 4–19 April 2026. The 2026 Edinburgh Science Festival explores the theme Going Global, showcasing the research and innovation created through international partnerships.

Artist Gayle Chong Kwan said: “I am excited to critically interrogate and creatively explore scientific histories in the collections of the National Museum of Scotland and the Wellcome Collection. I am honoured to create an artwork in the Grand Gallery at the National Museum of Scotland, the museum of my childhood that is imprinted in the development of my work at the intersection of historical, material, and archival research and fine art practice.”

Edinburgh Science Director and CEO, Hassun El-Zafar said: “The history of science is a global story, shaped by the contributions of cultures and communities around the world. Through this commission, we’re excited to showcase science as the truly international tapestry it is.”

Edinburgh Art Festival Director, Kim McAleese said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Gayle Chong Kwan, a Scottish-born artist whose unique ability to blend archival research with fine art will bring these often-overlooked stories vividly to light.”

In addition to creating this installation, Chong Kwan will speak at events across the year hosted by the Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh Science Festival, Mexico Science Festival and Edinburgh International Storytelling Festival.

This commission is being developed with support from Creative Scotland through the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund.