Artist Statement:
I encountered this American Lady butterfly (vanessa virginiensis) outside my studio and was struck by layers of symbolism. Once vibrant and strong, she is now tattered and torn. A faded glory. A metaphor for our southern neighbour in more than name. Enlarged for this artwork, she looms over an intricately networked silken globe, bringing into question definitions of strength and fragility. With ravaged papery wings, her mobility and influence are hampered. She no longer symbolizes reliable cycles of life; she is no longer a beneficial contributor. Troubled by this metamorphosis, I wonder… Is she friend or foe? Will she survive?