Mike Libby- insect lab

Mike Libby- insect lab

http://insectlabstudio.com/

‘Born of science fiction, fact and fable, since 1999, Insect Lab customizes preserved insect specimens with mechanical components, antique watch parts, sewing machines, gadgets and various nuts and bolts.  From small beetles to large grasshoppers to fleeting dragonflies, each handmade work by me aims to be a spirited and luxurious celebration of biology and engineering’

though not his primary style the insect lab was first created in 1999 when the artist found a beetle, completely intact, in which he hollowed out and placed within in the critter, from that point Mike Libby has been expanding using a wider variety of bugs and arachnids to create these niche sculptures, taking inspiration from science fiction in which he also used to develop his work, talking to novelists and other artists bringing him to where he is today. all the insects that are used in this work have either been found dead by the artist or purchased from licensed providers of common species.

The art itself is delicate however, the metal components give the original organism a far studier appearance, in addition to this the artist uses materials that are harmonious and complementary to the insects, such as brasses and golds for an insect that is brown in colour, or more golds for something like a black beetle. in addition to this Mike’s art does fit into the steampunk genre utilising natural forms and making them appear mechanical.

when I discovered this artist’s work there was absolutely no doubt that he would be one of my chosen artists as both the engineering elements, bugs and science fiction are all some of my favorite themes within art and media. catching insects was a large part of my spring and summer pastime as a child, equipped with a net and magnifying glass, entranced by the iridescent chitin and bright colours, while engineering and biology became later interests stemming from this, opting to take engineering over business and biology into A level discovering the mechanics of the constructions of man and nature.