Looking through his telescope at Venus in the late-19th century, astronomer Percival Lowell saw an intricate system of ‘spokes’ on its surface. Other scientists were unable to see them, but Lowell developed ever more complex ways to explain away their objections. It is now believed that what Lowell saw was the network of shadows cast onto his retina by the blood vessels in his eye.

The Venus Canals explores the relationship between astronomy and the human endeavour to find something meaningful. Lowell’s hopes and delusions while trying to understand Venus, and those of the artist while trying to understand Lowell, together create a reality shaped by selectivity and desire.

Hanna Tai is a Melbourne-based artist who uses humble materials to try to make sense of big ideas. She has a Masters in Image & Communications (Photography) from Goldsmiths College, London (2003) and a Masters in Fine Arts from RMIT (2007). Her work has been exhibited in Melbourne, London, Berlin and the Gold Coast.