Some people find modern art somewhat painful. A new summer exhibition explores the relationship between colour, patterns and visual stress. Debbie Ayles finds that some people suffer headaches as a result of her use of space and vastly contrasting colours in geometric patterns. Her exhibition is designed to investigate how visual images in contemporary art and design can be responsible for visual stress and migraines. As part of a 'sciart' research project funded by The Wellcome Trust, Debbie Ayles has collaborated with Arnold Wilking, a vision scientist at the University of Essex. Their investigation had implicated her use of stripes as responsible for an aversive reaction. However, whilst some people react negatively, others find her work stimulation. Some people admire artwork that strikes the eye, but for others it simply hits the head. You can see 'Striking The Eye- Aversion to Contemporary Art' at the University of Essex gallery on the Wivenhoe campus from Saturday 15th Saturday 22nd July. This exhibition is not suitable for those with photosensitive epilepsy or photosensitive migraine. | 
