Artists Collects The Microbial Life Lurking On NYC Subway Surfaces

Amid the sweaty and summery subway traffic, Ward took to the subway with sterilized cotton buds to collect samples of microbes. After swabbing the hand rails and plastic seats, he wiped them across an agar plate and left them to work their magic. After just over a week of incubation in his Brooklyn studio, Ward identified a few of the bacteria through the shape and size of the colonies.

Within these microbial portraits he identified E. coli, a bacterium found in feces; Salmonella, the bacteria associated with food poisoning; many strains of Staphylococcus, the group of bacteria that cause “staph infections,” and lots of different molds.

Speaking to Huffington Post, Ward said, “I just think they make for an excellent visual analogy for the diversity of the city at large.

“I hope, after the initial wince, that people will find a little beauty in there.”

You can check out a small sample of the series, called "Subvisual Subway," below. You can also buy prints of the incredible work at Craig Ward’s website.

^{G train sample: E. coli, Salmonella, Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis. Image credit: Craig Ward}

^{D train sample: E. Coli, Staphylococcus aureus and mold. Image credit: Craig Ward}

^{7 train samples: Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus. Image credit: Craig Ward}

^{L train samples: E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis and Serratia marcescens. Image credit: Craig Ward}

^{S train samples: E. coli, salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. Image credit: Craig Ward}