This artwork was inspired by Caroline Herschel, a luminary in the field of astronomy, stands as a towering figure in the history of science.

Born in 1750 in Hanover, Germany, she broke through the barriers of her time to become one of the first recognised female astronomers. Working alongside her brother, William Herschel, she ventured into the realm of the stars, turning her meticulous observations into groundbreaking discoveries.

Caroline's legacy includes the discovery of several comets, including the periodic comet 35P/Herschel-Rigollet, and her seminal contributions to the cataloguing of star clusters and nebulae. Her work was instrumental in expanding the New General Catalogue of nebulae, which remains a cornerstone in astronomical study.

In 1828, Caroline Herschel was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, a historic accolade as she was the first woman to receive such an honour. Beyond her scientific achievements, Herschel's story is one of perseverance and passion, inspiring generations of women to look towards the stars. Her dedication to astronomy, combined with her early love for music, paints the picture of a multifaceted individual who pursued knowledge and beauty in all its forms.

Caroline Herschel's journey from a singer to a star hunter epitomises the limitless potential of the human spirit to transcend expectations and redefine what is possible.

Technique
The Comet Chaser (Ode to Caroline Herschel) was created by constructing a hand-cut collage using female photographic portraiture, hand-printed glass plate negatives of star constellation etchings and photographs of the stars.