Fresh Ink, Fresh Perspectives

From ancient cave drawings to da Vinci, science and art have always been intertwined. A perfect example of this symbiotic relationship has just recently come out of our Earth Science and Integrative Collections departments here at the Museum. For the first time in the museum field, tattoo machines are being used to label silicone molds, a method invented right here at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. 

But how did this happen? It started with our fascinating collection of fossils from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. This sprawling collection comprises a fantastically weird array of fossil specimens, including a giant, dinosaur-eating frog and a pug-nosed, vegetarian crocodile. Starting in 1993, scientists have conducted 15 field seasons in Madagascar to collect fossils, which have vastly increased scientific knowledge of Late Cretaceous vertebrates. Now the Museum is preparing over half the collection for its return to Madagascar. 

Rudolph Hummel, a research assistant for Senior Curator Dr. David Krause, was assigned the task of reorganizing over 700 silicone molds from the Madagascar collection. These molds are used to create plastic resin casts of fossil specimens for research, exhibits and education, but labeling these items presented a tricky problem for Museum staff. The hydrophobic nature of silicone makes it nearly impossible for traditional markers to adhere. In his quest to solve this problem, he tested stickers, sharpies and printed labels but all proved inadequate. 

Enter Sierra Swenson, the Assistant Collections Manager overseeing the Madagascar collection. Sierra’s role is to keep the whole collection organized and accessible, both physically and digitally. As Rudolph and Sierra brainstormed solutions, Sierra had a eureka moment.  

Sierra, who both has tattoos and maintains a deep appreciation for the artistic process behind them, had seen tattoo artists practice their inking techniques on silicone sheets. She wondered if the same principles could be applied to molds at the Museum. After purchasing an affordable tattoo kit online, the Madagascar researchers conducted an experiment using archival ink designed for long-lasting use. 

“We knew right away it was going to work perfectly,” Sierra recalls. The ink adhered to the molds without smudging or peeling, even when flexed—a crucial requirement for the molds’ functionality. 

While refining their technique, the team decided to reach out to Nest Art Collective, a local tattoo studio in Denver. What started as a casual connection at a Museum-sponsored event grew into a collaborative partnership. Lora Bird, the studio owner, and her artists provided expert advice, shared professional-grade equipment and even contributed to the academic paper the team has prepared to publish on this project. Sierra and Rudolph invited artists from Nest to tattoo on the floor of the Museum in May 2024. They were able to interact with guests and teach them about the project in an unforgettable event. 

“I just absolutely adore the staff at the museum. I entered this space kind of expecting that people might not take me seriously or respect me because of my own tattoos and because I am a young queer woman with no scientific background. I was met with such respect and literally had all my stupid questions seriously answered and pondered and was treated as an expert in my field,” said Lora. 

This small but revolutionary addition to the curation arsenal sets a new standard for accuracy, durability and efficiency in the field of natural history. In the hopes of disseminating this technique to other institutions, the team’s work is now under review for publication in the Journal of Paleontological Techniques and they have presented it at the Geological Society of America and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology meetings in 2024.  

But beyond keeping collections more organized, this project also has a deeper significance. It demonstrates that art is integral to science, and that science is well served by including diverse perspectives. Sierra only had the idea to use tattoo machines because she has tattoos, and although they are becoming more common, there is still stigma about them in many academic settings. Even Lora worried she may experience discrimination at the Museum. Instead, thanks to their mutual passion for both science and art, Sierra, Rudolph and Lora were able to create something truly unique. 

For Sierra, the success using tattoos to label molds represents a wonderful blend of her professional expertise with personal passion. “I never would have thought that my passion for science and tattoos would converge in this way. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to this innovation that helps advance scientific research happening in Colorado, Madagascar and many more places across the world.”  

Pro tip: Learn more about this incredible story on the Museum floor in our “Science in the News” exhibition tucked away on the second floor of the Museum near the Coffee Lab and across from the Discovery Zone.  

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