Dragonflies, Butterflies, Damselflies and Moths
These beautiful insects all have fascinated people and
gained a symbolic meaning in many cultures for the metamorphosis that they go
through in the process of their lives. Dragonflies, with their amazing flying
abilities are over 3 million years old as a species, butterflies and moths are
ephemerally beautiful, damsel flies with their jewel colors, catch the eye.
Each of these species has different forms that evolve into
the adult. Dragonflies and damselflies
begin as eggs born in water, the egg develops into a nymph, and the
nymph, still living in the water, undergoes a number of sheddings of the
exoskeleton until it develops to the
adult dragonfly/damsel fly. Although there are overall similarities
between a dragonfly and a damselfly the
differences are clear with observation.
The eyes of the dragonfly are almost it’s entire head whereas the damsel
fly has more googily eyes. The wings and body shapes are also different. Both
of them have amazing variety of colors.
Butterflies and moths also begin as eggs, deposited on the
undersides of leaves, on the bark of trees. The caterpillar emerges from the
egg. The caterpillar creates a cocoon. In this cocoon it liquefies and
reconfigures itself into a butterfly/moth. The difference between a moth and
butterflies differ from moths in that they have a little club-shape at the ends
of their antennae. Moths have a connecting membrane on each side between the
two part wing and are mainly nocturnal whereas butterflies are about during the
day. Both have astounding colors and camouflage patterns.
These insects have many lenses in their eyes to detect
motion and can therefore see from more than one point of view. This is the fascinating concept to me, as an
artist. To see everyday things from a different point of view.
The works in this exhibition are my representation of the metamorphosis of the
insects, beginning with photographic images and working with them to the
symbolic abstract of line and color. Seeing
this, our world of wonders, from a different point of view.
