PetriScapes

I’m such a sucker for mounted faux animal heads (you know the origami shaped one or the kinds made with paper mache?), terrariums & Butterfly displays.

Obviously I was also always intrigued by specimen slides, boxes and bottles, during my time spent in the biology labs . They seemed to have a certain otherworldly feel about them, eerie at times but always fascinating .
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Why biology labs? If you have been recently introduced to my art, you may not know yet that I didn’t formally study art. I am self-taught, and that I have a BSc in Zoology. While I don’t remember why exactly I chose to study Zoology, I like to say that it was for my love for drawing in journals Going to art school may have been a more normal logical thing to do, yes, but whoever said there was anything logical about my creative journey, ja? Normal. Schnormal. Pfft.😒

While the story about love for drawing in journals may or may not be the entire truth, what is definitely true is that much of the art I make is influenced and inspired by my time spent in biology class. Also, I DID create a series of stylized zoology journal drawings in October 2016 as part of the Inktober series for the month, so.

The biology inspiration may not always be very obvious in my art anymore due to the morphed nature of cellular crosscections, fangs, flora and fungi, amalgamated with fairytale inspirations, graphic elements and Rock candy in my Alienlandscapes, the influence however still remains.

My new works from the Alienlandscapes series is an ode to all those specimen display boxes full of wondrous creatures, bits & bobs. I now present to you my box of alien butterflies , feathers and flora , and everything else in between, these are the PetriScapes. Hope you like them as I have enjoyed creating them