Artist Statement
I’m an amateur entomologist and professional picture framer. While studying jewelry making at VCU I developed an appreciation for small, detailed work. Later I got involved in picture framing, a craft in which meticulous attention to detail is essential.
Each of these pieces begins with an insect- some of which I collect with a net. But more often I’ll find one on the ground somewhere; in the woods, or maybe a parking lot. The more exotic species come from insect farms in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Peru. These operations have an impact locally on halting deforestation. In order for the insects to thrive in numbers sufficient to permit collecting, the surrounding rainforest habitat must be healthy. Local people who work as insect collectors have an incentive to work with forest managers to protect these areas.
Working with insects is a contemplative experience for me, and a quiet respite from our hectic world. The process of pinning an insect specimen into position cannot be rushed, they are far too easily damaged. The patterns and colors are fascinating and often almost unbelievable. I spend a lot of time thinking about adaptation and natural selection and how much of this is evident in insects.
The design of the shadowboxes comes about through noting which elements of the form, coloring, or markings of each insect appeal to me. Then I sort through all of the wonderful little odds and ends of picture frame moulding that I’ve saved up and put together a frame to complement each one. Sometimes I don’t have exactly what I want, and have been known to do some simple carving or etching on a plain moulding and embellish it with ink. The result is a gilded reliquary as unique as each little natural jewel itself.
Laura Garrett is a Richmond artist with a BFA in Crafts/Art History from VCU.
She lives in Lakeside, and has been picture framing for eleven years.
I’m an amateur entomologist and professional picture framer. While studying jewelry making at VCU I developed an appreciation for small, detailed work. Later I got involved in picture framing, a craft in which meticulous attention to detail is essential.
Each of these pieces begins with an insect- some of which I collect with a net. But more often I’ll find one on the ground somewhere; in the woods, or maybe a parking lot. The more exotic species come from insect farms in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Peru. These operations have an impact locally on halting deforestation. In order for the insects to thrive in numbers sufficient to permit collecting, the surrounding rainforest habitat must be healthy. Local people who work as insect collectors have an incentive to work with forest managers to protect these areas.
Working with insects is a contemplative experience for me, and a quiet respite from our hectic world. The process of pinning an insect specimen into position cannot be rushed, they are far too easily damaged. The patterns and colors are fascinating and often almost unbelievable. I spend a lot of time thinking about adaptation and natural selection and how much of this is evident in insects.
The design of the shadowboxes comes about through noting which elements of the form, coloring, or markings of each insect appeal to me. Then I sort through all of the wonderful little odds and ends of picture frame moulding that I’ve saved up and put together a frame to complement each one. Sometimes I don’t have exactly what I want, and have been known to do some simple carving or etching on a plain moulding and embellish it with ink. The result is a gilded reliquary as unique as each little natural jewel itself.
Laura Garrett is a Richmond artist with a BFA in Crafts/Art History from VCU.
She lives in Lakeside, and has been picture framing for eleven years.
