SERENDIPITY!

This piece was painted with YInMn Blue, the world’s first blue pigment discovered in over 200 years.

Its vibrant hue was created by accident in an Oregon State University tech-lab following the high-heat firing of ultra rare and common elements Yttrium, Indium, and Manganese.

Instead of opening the kiln to find the expected brown-black substance used for electronics materials, scientist Mas Subramanian and his grad student, Andrew Smith, laid their eyes on a brilliant blue. Dr. Subramanian then asked his student this seminal question: “Andrew, what is going on here?”

Serendipity! captures the journey of the unexpected coming into being and the wonderful and unique human experience of asking why and seeking to know.

Thank you, Dr. Subramanian. Our world is bluer because of you.

Artist: Jessica Blanchard | 2025

Blue Break Collective, LLC

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