5

Lepidoptera

As an artist I am always aware of how revealing or telling my pieces can be. I’ve found my works with the heaviest meanings, or the topics I find most difficult to talk about end up looking the prettiest. To me I am taking the things I feel most embarrassed or ashamed of and making something beautiful out of it. While creating a visual concept for this instillation’s critical message, I wanted to provide anyone who may be affected by this reality the chance to view their experiences in a more delicate and gentle light. I know how it feels to dwell on the difficult and demoralizing realities of being a teenager. I am familiar with the overwhelming sense of ugliness attached to some of those things. It’s hard to separate that feeling from yourself, to not feel tarnished by the things you have dealt with, as if everyone can see all the disgusting remnants that lingers on you. My bison acts as a reminder that nothing is permanent or unchanging, it is a statement that no one is forced to be defined by the things they hide. 

Butterflies are a symbol of change. The metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly is defined as the process of profound transformation, a concept I don’t believe is restricted to only insects. If a caterpillar is capable of evolution and extreme change why shouldn’t the resilient survivors of some of society’s most devastating issues be able to. I hope they see themselves in the butterflies I’ve painted and are confronted with the freedom that comes from being able to move on or ‘fly away’ from what once was. Another thing I found appealing about a bison of butterflies was the diversity of its symbolism. The butterfly can represents hope, rebirth, or even a wish depending on the viewer and there are so many ways to interpret the winged creature. I want everyone who’s sees my design to be able to decipher it in their own personal way that is unique to them and their story.

While this instillation and its positive intentions aim to create a community by bringing people together, it wouldn’t be fair to ignore the isolating reality of someone who has been or is currently struggling. I included a singular moth amongst the drove of butterflies as a nod to the undetectable alienation felt by survivors. A moth, so similar to a butterfly yet so different speaks to the reality of living as someone who has overcome what many will never have to deal with. Living as a survivor of anything sets you apart, there is no denying that fact. To be different than others is not a bad thing, it doesn’t make you any less beautiful or capable of flying, you simply have experienced things others haven’t. I think everyone can relate to that in some way, everyone deals with their own personal things, if we didn’t what would keep us from all being the same. Whether you feel like the moth or the butterfly you are important, the empty space you fill isn’t nearly as impactful as you yourself.

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Artist: Claire Samson (Goldfish)