Gravity

This Rosemary Cox Prize for Art (2020) award-winning collage celebrates the revolutionary achievements of Isaac Newton, whose work laid the foundation for classical physics and modern science. Born in 1642 in Woolsthorpe, England, Newton authored the landmark Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, introducing his three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation—concepts still central to engineering, space exploration, architecture, and modern mechanics. 

The collage features symbols of Newton’s most impactful discoveries: his second law of motion (F=ma), his law of gravitation (Fg = Gm₁m₂/r²), the gravitational constant, and calculus notations that continue to inform everything from physics and computer modeling to economics and machine learning. The inclusion of the metric unit “newton,” the iconic apple, and Newton’s portrait reflect both his scientific legacy and his humanity.

His discoveries governed our understanding of motion and force for centuries and continue to shape the technologies and tools we use every day—from roller coasters and robotics to rockets and satellite systems.