Anthraquinone

Anthraquinone is a fluorescent compound found in lichens that glow in neon colours under certain lighting. Anthraquinone is found, for example, in the yellow-orange lichen Xanthoria parietina, which grows on tree trunks and rock surfaces.

I encountered anthraquinone when examining a lichen species that my architect friend came across while inspecting a brick facade (see artwork "Architect's Lichen"). No wonder the lichen patches on the brick facade looked like neon paint.

100 cm x 120 cm, mixed media on stretched canvas.