Dr Penelope Ajani works at the intersection between science and art. She holds a BSc (Hons) and PhD in Marine Biology and has worked in academia, government and as a private consultant (Director, Blooming Algae). Like engineers, architects and artists throughout history, Penny is captivated by the intricate beauty of the microscopic world. Her work focuses on marine plankton, specifically microalgae, the foundational organisms of our oceans. These organisms produce 50% of the oxygen we breathe, support entire marine food webs, and yet like everything are threatened by climate change.

Penny’s work involves isolating organisms from the ocean, and then using careful technical precision and visual intuition, capturing the haunting elegance of these life forms using light or electron microscopy. Finally, by shifting the scale and placing them in an artistic realm, Penny showcases the extraordinary patterns, pores, and filigree of these organisms, an architecture measured in microns yet monumental in beauty and significance.

Penny’s work hopes to increase awareness of marine ecosystems and environmental stewardship to a wide audience, while deepening the interconnectedness between art and science.

Limited edition images using Archival Pigment Print on Textured Cotton Rag Paper are available for purchase (various sizes; framed or unframed). Please email for further details.

All images ©Penelope Ajani 2026