But the work of textile artist Andrew Chan is on display in Brisbane as part of the world's most influential forum for HIV research, the 12th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science.
The HIV Science as Art project has paired eminent researchers presenting at the conference with a dozen artists living with HIV from around the world, with the aim of bringing the latest research to life through an artistic approach.
Chan's effort shows two life-size textile figures adorned with middle eastern motifs, held by a web of restraining threads.
It's the result of a collaboration with Dr Ryan Whitacre from The Graduate Institute, whose current research looks at discrimination faced by queer refugees which can see them caught up in a between-borders no-man's-land.
Some had fled their home countries fearing for their lives, while others spoke of torture and rape.
"The amount of abuse, discrimination and violence is just really extreme among the refugees that we've talked to," Dr Whitacre told AAP.
His research was based on interviews with 35 refugees in Beirut, Istanbul and Athens, whose diverse sexual orientations and gender identities had led to additional hardship.
Many were from Afghanistan, with others from Iraq and Syria.
Homophobia and transphobia had also led to poverty and homelessness, Dr Whitacre said, with refugees becoming reliant on informal economies such as sex work.
Andrew Chan emigrated to Australia from Malaysia eight years ago and, with a four-year wait to get his visa approved, he had some understanding of the legal limbo migrants can find themselves in.
He found Dr Whitacre's work harrowing to read, and took weeks to think about how it might be turned into art.
The pair exchanged emails as Chan worked on a concept and design, followed by six weeks of knitting and embroidery, and a video call to discuss the finished work.
So what does Dr Whitacre think of his research turned into art?
"I thought it was the perfect way to get at the heart of what we're trying to emphasise in this research," he said.
For his part, Chan found the project highly rewarding, and wants people who see the work to come away with a deeper understanding of migration.
"I think it's easy to be a queer person here in Australia, but it's not in other parts of the world. I want people to see that and hopefully they feel something," he said.
The works on show near the conference venue also include photography, fashion design and painting.
HIV Science as Art is a project of the National Association of People Living with HIV Australia and is funded by ViiV Healthcare.
The artworks are on display until August 5 at Metro Arts in Brisbane.
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