Taking pests and turning them into something beautiful
When most people think of having insects in their home, their first instinct is to call a pest control company to take care of the problem. However, there are some artists who would take a pest infestation as an opportunity to create their next line of work. As odd as it may seem to some people, there’s actually a market for a wide variety of artistic creations that are made with the bodies of deceased insects.
What Type of Items Are These Artists Creating?
Insects are used to make everything from jewelry to wall collages. In some cases, the bodies of these pests are altered with paint or the addition of new components. For example, artist Mike Libby makes up to $1,000 per piece with his steampunk inspired robo-insects. Libby has worked with bees, spiders, praying mantises, and many other insects, and the final result makes these pests that once terrified many people look futuristic and intriguing.
Some artists take the bodies of deceased insects and use them to adorn other creations. Jan Fabre works exclusively with beetles, and he has used them to study everything from caskets to the ceiling of the Royal Palace in Brussels. Fabre’s work can definitely be macabre at times, but the pottery that he covers with beetle shells is very eye catching and memorable.
Can the Insects Themselves Become Artists?
It might seem absurd to think of bugs creating art, but this is exactly what they do with the assistance of Steven Kutcher. This entomologist and bug wrangler works with live insects in a manner that doesn’t put their lives at risk. Instead, the bugs have washable non-toxic paint placed on various aspects of their bodies, and they are then set loose on a canvas. Kutcher does occasionally help them with a slight push in the right direction, but the majority of his Bug Art collection comes to life via the movements that each insect chooses to make.
How Popular Is Insect Art?
Insect art is currently popular enough for some artists to make a living creating something aesthetically pleasing by working with bugs. In fact, there are many displays available throughout the world, and the Texas Discovery Gardens hosts an annual family festival celebrating butterflies and bugs that features some insect art.
Making art out of pests is definitely not something that appeals to everyone. You yourself probably aren’t planning to catch bugs and turn them into an art project if your Bryan-College Station area home or business has become infested. Instead, you can contact ABC Home & Commercial Services through our website to schedule a professional pest control service call to take care of the problem.