Butterflies in Art

As symbols of hope, metamorphosis, and change, butterflies continue to be timelessly expressed in art. Whether they add an ethereal quality to a painting or texture to a sculpture, butterflies always add a sense of aliveness and vitality. Today, butterflies continue to be a popular subject in art, and are often used in contemporary art as symbols of transformation, rebirth, and the beauty of nature. See how Eden Gallery artists, David Kracov, Calman Shemi, and SN use butterflies in their art to express spirituality, love and so much more.

World renowned artist David Kracov adds butterflies in vibrant color palettes to almost every sculpture he creates. Each work of his begins with hundreds of small sketches and once done, his sculptures come alive with a lighthearted vitality. The level of intricacy and detail that goes into his work makes his fluttering creatures take on a life of their own. David’s use of butterflies is largely inspired by Pavel Freidmanns poem called “The Butterfly,” which is written by a young boy in Aushwitz. David says “the poem…has been one of my single, most greatest inspirations. It is that very observation of finding beauty in something so small, when surrounded by nothing but bleakness.” A good example of a butterfly sculpture by David, is his ‘Book of Life’ free standing sculpture. In this extraordinary work of art, thousands of butterflies flutter out of the pages of a book. David hand-painted 2547 butterflies to represent the children that escaped Chernobyl's nuclear disaster and, with the help of charity, have been given a chance at a new life. The pages of this Book are filled with poems, excerpts of diaries, and songs, written by children who died at Auschwitz. Kracov’s butterflies are not only beautiful and vibrant, but also have a much deeper meaning and representation.

When it comes to using butterflies as an expression of life and an ode to nature, artist Calman Shemi does this with acute expertise. He harnesses Japanese techniques, using a thicker brush and a more freeform approach to create more abstract and expressive images. This technique, known as ‘Sumi-e,’ often focuses on capturing the essence of a subject rather than its exact appearance, and is often used for landscapes, flowers, and other natural scenes. The slightly abstract style of painting brings out the complexity and splendor of the natural world. A good example of this style when it comes to butterflies is in Shemi’s painting called ‘Colorful Wings.’ In this artwork, the perfectly imperfect butterfly wings are portrayed in many different shapes and colors, and come together to form a magnificent artwork. 

Similar to Shemi’s creativity, artist SN’s use of butterflies are used to enhance the beauty of the subject. SN truly believes that art is created to nourish the heart as well as the eye. The majority of his work is created using canvas, mixed media, charcoal, oil paints, and dried butterflies. For SN, if the subject speaks, the background becomes the melody and enhances the focal point of the artwork. A good example of this is in his work called ‘The Hunter and Two Cheetah.’ The butterflies on the woman's dress and the beautiful nature adds elegance and grace to the overall beauty of the artwork. 

The delicate and ephemeral nature of butterflies makes them a perfect subject for art, and their imagery can be used to evoke a range of emotions and convey complex ideas. Whether in the decorative arts, abstract art, or street art, butterflies continue to be a popular subject for artists, and their beauty and symbolism will continue to inspire art for generations to come. Explore more inspiring artworks by world renowned artists on the Eden Gallery website, or at a local gallery near you.