Ghost and gilt insect series

‘Hemiptera arum’ (gold insect)
Giclee Print. Edition 3
62.5 x 50 cm

‘Hemiptera exspiravit’ (ghost insect)
Giclee Print. Edition of 3
40 x 50 cm

‘Hemiptera caveatis porcina’ (camouflage insect)
Giclee Print. Edition of 3
20 x 25 cm

The inspiration for this series of work was an article from the Guardian that read “plummeting insect numbers ‘threaten collapse of nature’”. It sited a global review which stated insects could vanish within a century at current rates of decline.

In response I painted real cicada entomology specimens white to create ghost insects, or gilded them with gold leaf to increase their perceived value. I assembled displays of white flowers for the ghosts to camouflage themselves amongst, and for the gold to catch the viewers eye. The flowers loss of colour is a nod to the loss of diversity given their relationships with insects.

These pieces will be available at the final exhibition of 2022 at Woolloongabba Art Gallery, opening on the 10th of December.

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