Lily Simonson in her studio.
Lily Simonson’s luminous Antarctica art
By Shara Morris
April 26, 2016
How far will an artist go for her art? For Lily Simonson, it’s Antarctica. She went there last year with the National Science Foundation’s Antarctic Artists & Writers Program. These creative professionals accompany scientists to the South Pole to collaborate on research, and then bring back their findings back to share with the rest of us.
Antarctica felt like a perfect fit for Simonson, who’s been painting and drawing marine life for years. After a rigorous application process, she was accepted to the program. Before flying to Antarctica, she shipped gallons of paint, a sketchbook, charcoal and enough clothing for six weeks. Once there she stayed at the U.S. research base, McMurdo Station, for 99 days.