It’s good to be able to view an innovative exhibition which fuses science with art and provides those talented Oxfordshire members of the Women’s Institute with a chance to show that they can make much more than pots of jam.

Designs for Life, which is now on show at the North Wall Gallery, in Summertown, consists of 30 embroidered panels which depict some of the “dangerously beautiful” viruses and diseases that are being investigated as part of the health-related scientific research at the Diamond Light Source, the South Oxfordshire synchrotron facility.

Under the guidance of leading textile artist Anne Griffiths, the WI members have come up with some simply stunning works which capture the dreadful beauty of viruses and diseases not visible to the human eye.

The HIV Virus, designed by Anne Griffiths and worked by East and West Hendred WI and Chilton WI, with its bold use of gold and blue, and clusters of dainty little green buttons is remarkable.

Who would have thought that such a deadly virus could look so beautiful?

Anne also designed the Flu Virus Cross Section (pictured) which was worked by WI members from Filkins and Standlake.

It’s a fascinating combination of textiles, colours and shapes, which come together to give us a stunning work of art.

Running alongside these panels are a number of information sites, which provide background information on the Diamond Light Source.

For those who would like to get involved in another of their projects and leave their own mark, there is a monitor available that invites members of the public to add their own electronic cross stitch to another panel.

A colourful collection of photographs showing the more amazing shapes, such as Hysteress by Anne Griffiths, are also on show.

This exhibition is on until January 30 and is open to the public from Monday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm.