Dragonfly - Imago creation
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Dragonfly Imago was the centre piece of a solo show at Circus Gallery, Marylebone High Street, London, May 22nd - September 30th 2019.
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Dragonfly - Imago
Celebrating the exquisite wonder of the dragonfly.
The dragonfly is held in balance, at the centre of a hand-machined brass mechanism.
The piece gifts the viewer an intimate perspective towards the poetry of a dragonfly’s flight through colour, form and movement.
The piece gifts the viewer an intimate perspective towards the poetry of a dragonfly’s flight through colour, form and movement.
1/10 scale model
Associated Works
The creation of such a detailed and intimate study required many months of research and reflection.
This process resulted in a plethora of writings, drawings and the creation of mechanical prototypes as well as digital prototypes.
The creation of such a detailed and intimate study required many months of research and reflection.
This process resulted in a plethora of writings, drawings and the creation of mechanical prototypes as well as digital prototypes.
Pendulum Prototype (June 2018)
The Journey
At the heart of this piece is the subject
At the heart of this piece is the subject
Core to the journey were field trips to study living dragonflies in the environment of which they are a part.
The Natural History Museum, London, has kindly made its vast collection of dragonfly specimens available for my study.
I have spent many hours drawing measuring and observing these under the microscope.
I have spent many hours drawing measuring and observing these under the microscope.
Watercolour (July 2018)
A Personal Connection
As a child I spent many hours in the garden of my grandparents in Stokes Valley, New Zealand. This paradise had a stream running through and ponds with goldfish and frogs. There were insects everywhere.
This was a place of solace and sanctuary where I would look closely at the marvellous strangeness of all these creatures. Dragonflies were in abundance and inspired deep within me an enduring fascination, fear and wonder.
I wish to celebrate the essential character of the dragonfly and inspire a closer relationship with the world of which we are a part.
As a child I spent many hours in the garden of my grandparents in Stokes Valley, New Zealand. This paradise had a stream running through and ponds with goldfish and frogs. There were insects everywhere.
This was a place of solace and sanctuary where I would look closely at the marvellous strangeness of all these creatures. Dragonflies were in abundance and inspired deep within me an enduring fascination, fear and wonder.
I wish to celebrate the essential character of the dragonfly and inspire a closer relationship with the world of which we are a part.
Pencil Drawing (April 2018)
Approach
My approach towards the design of this piece was to cast the net wide; gathering a multitude of personal observations through drawings, writings and the creation of prototypes, reflecting on these and drawing upon specialist knowledge.
The Natural History Museum, London, was very supportive of this artistic interpretation of the Dragonfly and has made available their significant collection of dragonflies for my study.
The British Dragonfly Society made itself available to support the project.
Haui-Ti Lin (Director of Neuromechanics and Bio-Inspired Technologies Lab, Imperial College of London Department of Bioengineering) was a movement consultant for the project in the specifics of dragonfly flight.
The Epping Forest Horological Society extended its vast collective knowledge in micro-mechanisms towards the project as a specialist consultant organisation.
My approach towards the design of this piece was to cast the net wide; gathering a multitude of personal observations through drawings, writings and the creation of prototypes, reflecting on these and drawing upon specialist knowledge.
The Natural History Museum, London, was very supportive of this artistic interpretation of the Dragonfly and has made available their significant collection of dragonflies for my study.
The British Dragonfly Society made itself available to support the project.
Haui-Ti Lin (Director of Neuromechanics and Bio-Inspired Technologies Lab, Imperial College of London Department of Bioengineering) was a movement consultant for the project in the specifics of dragonfly flight.
The Epping Forest Horological Society extended its vast collective knowledge in micro-mechanisms towards the project as a specialist consultant organisation.