Ex Materia (Chrysalis)
2023

Furthering the Ex Materia series, Ex Materia (Chrysalis) presents a visual chronicle that infuses the ideas of beauty, harmony, balance and symmetry as observed in abundance in the natural world. Drawing inspiration from the striking colour schemes found on the wings of butterflies and moths, lepidoptera motifs pay homage to the vivid pigmentations and patterns that function as vital visual signals for the insects.

Artistic depictions of butterflies are prevalent in many cultures, including in Egyptian hieroglyphs from as early as 3,500 years ago. Rising to this challenge of history, the most quintessential of all lepidoptera imagery appears in Ex Materia (Chrysalis) / Part IV, in which the full wings of a butterfly are clearly visible. Rorschach-inspired, this set of six nature-spawned diptychs may be displayed in a myriad of hanging compositions. Furthermore, with each new construct, the viewer is immersed in an infinite amount of visual impressions which inevitably leads to multiple cognitive interpretations.

The chrysalis is an echo of the re-emergence of everyday life post-pandemic, and a symbol of change and transformation. Throughout this body of work, the artist aims to present a narrative of hope and rebirth, whilst embracing the possibilities of the future with unalloyed optimism and fervour.